DAHLONEGA — An early run for the University of North Georgia men's basketball team was enough to take a 65-56 victory over the Crusaders of North Greenville at Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center. A stifling defensive effort led the way for the Nighthawks as they held NGU to just 25 first-half points.
Reigning Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year
AJ White led the way in scoring, logging 17 points on 50% shooting from the field and beyond the arc, shooting 3-6 from three. The PBC's reigning Player of the Year
Frank Champion finished second for North Georgia, scoring 16 points with 11 rebounds and picking up three blocks.
Eric Jones scored 11 points in the game, finishing as the third Nighthawk in double-digit scoring in his return to the court. Jones finished perfect from the floor, shooting 4-4 from the field, adding in one three-point make and grabbing seven rebounds.
As a team, North Georgia shot 48.1% from the field and 43.8% from three in the game. The Crusaders crept back into the game after struggling in the first half, cutting a halftime lead of 11 down to two late before a run at the end of the game for UNG sealed the nine-point victory.
On Sunday (Nov. 12), the Nighthawks wrap up the Southeast Region Crossover with a now non-conference matchup against Young Harris at 5:30 p.m. YHC fell 78-65 to Georgia Southwestern in their season opener.
