YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - AJ White scored a career-high 37 points to lead the (RV) University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team to a season-opening win over No. 14 Lincoln Memorial 90-89 in overtime Friday night at The Harp Recreation & Commencement Center. The game was part of the Southeast Region Conference Challenge at Young Harris.

North Georgia (1-0) jumped out quickly, using a 10-4 burst in the opening minutes to build a lead behind baskets from Zack Hawkinson and Stephen Akwiwu. Lincoln Memorial (0-1) answered with a 9-2 run midway through the first half, capped by a Yassin Hussein layup, but White steadied North Georgia with back-to-back scoring drives to the rim. The Nighthawks closed the half on a 7-2 spurt to take a 40-34 advantage into the locker room.

North Georgia extended its margin to double digits early in the second half, but the Railsplitters stormed back. Drew Lewis sparked a 13-2 run with a tip-in and a fast-break layup, while Amhad Jarrard added a steal and score to tie the game at 58. LMU would push the lead out to seven points (69-62) with 6:37 to play, but UNG answered to regain the lead just two minutes later on a series of free throws from White. After forcing a Nighthawk turnover at the end of regulation, EJ Smith would force the extra frame with a pair of free throws of his own. 

The overtime period featured four lead changes. Baskerville buried a 3-pointer to give North Georgia a brief cushion, and White converted six free throws in the final two minutes. Lincoln Memorial cut the deficit to one on Hussein's layup with under 30 seconds left, but Chase Champion sealed the deal with a back court steal on LMU's final possession.

White finished 10-for-19 from the field and 15-for-18 at the line, adding five assists. In his first game as a Nighthawk, Baskerville posted a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Hawkinson chipped in 10 points. The Nighthawks' bench was pivotal, contributing 64 points.

Lewis paced Lincoln Memorial with 18 points and seven assists before fouling out. Jarrard scored 19, Hussein added 16 points and nine rebounds, and Smith had 16. LMU dominated the paint with 64 points but struggled from long range, hitting just 1-of-14 3-point attempts.

The game featured 11 ties and 12 lead changes, with both teams trading momentum swings throughout. North Georgia forced 14 turnovers and blocked three shots, including two by Akwiwu, to secure the neutral-site victory. Over the course of 45 minutes of play, 53 fouls were called resulting in a combined 67 free throw attempts.

North Georgia wraps up play in the six-team event tomorrow (Nov. 15) with a 5:00 p.m. game against host Young Harris.
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