JACKSON, Tenn. – A complete team effort and two big runs led the University of North Georgia men's basketball team to a 69-55 road win over Union University. UNG had six different Nighthawks score eight or more points, with
Greg Billups, Jr. and
Frank Champion leading the way with 11 points apiece.
Sutton Smith was a key part of the North Georgia offense, logging seven points and adding ten assists. Champion corralled a team-best nine rebounds in the game, finishing second on the team in assists with four.
Mekhail Bethea and
Giancarlo Bastianoni finished with nine points, while
Case Roach and
AJ White each added eight.
UNG ended the first half and began the second half with large runs to lead them to their fourth double-digit victory of the sesaon and fifth win overall.
Head Coach Dan Evans:
Tonight was a great show of depth and our willingness to make the right play. We had so many people contribute in many different ways. 22 assists are a testament to that. Our leading scorer having 11 points, is an example of that. Even shot attempts are an example of that. We were unselfish, and it resulted in great balance.
We took control of the game late in the first and into the second half because we defended and rebounded better. We were skittish prior to that but stayed the course. To win on the road, you must control the glass and take care of the ball. We were plus five on the boards and plus three in turnover margin.
Our consistency defensively was appreciated and ultimately carried us.
Key Moments
- Neither team took control for much of the first half until Union took a 24-16 lead at the 6:30 mark of the first half.
- North Georgia ended the half on a 14-2 run to take a 30-26 lead into the halftime break. Union shot 20% from the field during the run, while six different Nighthawks contributed for UNG.
- Union (1-6) made two consecutive threes to make it a 36-34 game at the 16:00 mark of the second half.
- The Nighthawks answered with a 7-0 run to take a 43-34 lead with 14:37 left in the second half.
- North Georgia made ten shots on 12 attempts in the first 10 minutes of the second half to make it a 13-point lead at the 10:00 mark.
- Union cut the deficit from 19 to 11 with 3:55 left in the game, but UNG held its ground, finishing with a 14-point win.
Next Up
North Georgia (5-1) will face Hosanna Bible for a 12:30 p.m. tip-off on Wednesday, December 7th, for LCCS 5th Graders' Day Out. The Nighthawks and Hosanna Bible will play in the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
