DAHLONEGA - Lexi Pierce hit a game-tying shot with six seconds left on the clock to overtime and Ansley Hall put the University of North Georgia ahead for good with 27 seconds to go in the extra period to give the Nighthawks a 65-62 Peach Belt Conference win over Lander at Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center on Wednesday.

The Nighthawks (15-8, 8-5 Peach Belt) had two players score in double figures, led by Pierce, who had 20 points. Kendall Emener tacked on 17 points, eight rebounds and two steals and Hall added nine points, 10 assists and a pair of steals.

After a slow start, North Georgia trailed 11-7 at the end of the first before UNG would cut the Bearcats' lead to 17-15 before going on a 5-0 run, highlighted by a bucket from Isabel Davenport, to take a 20-17 lead. The Nighthawks still enjoyed a 27-26 advantage heading into halftime.

Lander then took a 33-30 lead following intermission before North Georgia went on a 7-0 run, punctuated by a basket from Pierce, to grab a 37-33 lead with 5:18 to go in the third. Before the conclusion of the third period, the Bearcats had cut into that lead, but the Nighthawks still entered the fourth quarter with a 44-43 edge. North Georgia knocked down three three-pointers in the quarter to score nine of its 17 total points.

Lander proceeded to take a 56-48 lead with just 3:44 to play before North Georgia went on an 8-0 run, finished off by Pierce's layup, to even the score at 56 all with six seconds to go in the fourth.

North Georgia then took care of business in extra time, outscoring Lander 9-6 to seize victory by the 65-62 final score.

Lander (15-8, 8-5 Peach Belt) was led by Wykira Johnson-Kelly's 22 points and seven rebounds.

North Georgia hits the road with the team's first-ever road trip to Bluffton, S.C. to take on USC Beaufort on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 1:30 p.m.