YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – A late bucket by another freshman helped put the No. 23 University of North Georgia men's basketball team over Young Harris 73-71 in a midweek Peach Belt Conference matchup.
After a
Cayden Charles layup at the buzzer gave UNG the win in the first meeting,
AJ White earned the moment this time, making a long contested three-point shot with 31 seconds remaining to give the Nighthawks a one-point lead. North Georgia would hold on in the final 30 seconds to earn the regular season sweep against YHC.
Frank Champion led the team in scoring, finishing with 21 points on nine rebounds.
Giancarlo Bastianoni followed in scoring with 19 points finishing with four rebounds, three on the offensive end, while making seven of his nine shots from the field.
White (14) and
Hunter Shedenhelm (11) rounded out the double-digit scorers for UNG, with Shedenhelm getting his fifth assist on White's late three-pointer.
Key Moments
- The Nighthawks jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the first four minutes of the game, stretching their lead to as large as 19 points at the 9:02 mark of the first half.
- YHC (19-6, 9-6 PBC) began the climb back in the final nine minutes of the first half, trimming the lead to nine with UNG holding a 42-33 advantage at halftime.
- Young Harris would get within six points with 17:47, but a Shedenhelm three 30 seconds later sparked a 13-2 run that ended with UNG holding a 57-40 lead.
- Another YHC answer would come as Young Harris marched back, taking their first lead of the game with 5:38 remaining and would lead by as many as six.
- North Georgia entered the final three minutes down five but scored six straight, ending with White's made three to take a 70-69 lead.
- Both sides would trade free throws before a defensive stop at the buzzer finished the job for North Georgia.
Notes
- UNG's 19 regular season wins marks the highest single season win total in the NCAA era.
- The regular season sweep over the Mountain Lions is the first in the NCAA era.
Next Up
UNG will face Columbus State (14-11, 7-8 PBC) on Saturday (Feb. 18) for a 3:30 p.m. tip-off against the Cougars. CSU is coming off a 74-61 victory over Georgia Southwestern. North Georgia defeated CSU 60-55 in their first meeting this season.
