DAHLONEGA — Eric Jones broke the NCAA era program record for blocks in the No. 17 University of North Georgia men's basketball team's 81-66 win over Toccoa Falls at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center. It was 'Fifth Grader's Day Out' for the noon matchup as local elementary students enjoyed a second-half spree for the Nighthawks in the 15-point victory.
Champion led in scoring, capturing another double-double by scoring 27 points and grabbing 11 rebounds, adding seven assists and three steals to his name. Jones had a career night defensively and on the glass, finishing second in scoring with 17 while grabbing 16 rebounds.
Jones finished with eight blocks in the historic effort, setting the program's NCAA-era record for blocks, passing the six-block mark to break the record. The previous record of six blocks was first set in the 2010-2011 season by George Jgerenaia.
Case Roach finished third in scoring for UNG, scoring 15 points with six assists on the offensive side, adding in three steals defensively.
AJ White rounded out the double-digit scorers with ten, while
Sutton Smith added eight points with five assists and six rebounds.
A rocky start for the Nighthawks ended with North Georgia trailing 34-32 at the break before finding a rhythm in the second and outscoring Toccoa Falls 49-32 for the 15-point differential.
UNG kicks off December with a home contest versus Voorhees on Friday (Dec. 1) with tip-off set for 7:00 p.m. Voorhees holds a 3-6 record, falling to USC Upstate in their last game.
