BLUFFTON, S.C. – The No. 12 University of North Georgia men's basketball team used a late charge to rally back and edge USC Beaufort, 84-82, in Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday afternoon. North Georgia trailed by seven with 1:44 to play but rallied to force overtime and eventually post its 20th victory of the season.
Frank Champion hit a shot with 26 seconds remaining on the clock to put the North Georgia men's basketball team up for good in an 84-82 victory against the on the road Saturday.
The Nighthawks (20-4, 11-3 Peach Belt) had three players score in double figures, led by Champion, who had 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals. Giancarlo Bastianoni added 17 points, seven rebounds and three blocks off of the bench and AJ White pitched in with 14 points.
After falling behind 22-16, North Georgia went on a 9-0 run with 8:36 left in the first half, culminating in a bucket from Greg Billups, Jr. to take a 25-22 lead. USCB then responded to tie things up at 34-34 heading into halftime.
The Sand Sharks then snagged a 73-66 advantage with just 1:44 to play before North Georgia responded by going on a 7-0 run, finished off by Champion's jumper, to even the score at 73 all with 10 seconds to go in the contest.
In overtime, another Champion layup gave the Nighthawks the lead for good with just 26 seconds remaining.
USC Beaufort (10-12, 3-11 Peach Belt) was led by Qurahn Anderson's 18 points.
The 20th win marks the second consecutive 20-win season for North Georgia and the first time the program has posted back-to-back 20-win seasons in over 40 years.
North Georgia hits the road on Wednesday, Feb. 21 for a Peach Belt contest at Georgia Southwestern.
