DAHLONEGA – As part of the 7^th Annual Lumpkin County School System's Fifth Graders' Day Out, the University of North Georgia men's basketball team defeated Toccoa Falls 96-56 in preseason exhibition action on Wednesday afternoon at Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center.

The crowd included fifth graders from all three Lumpkin County Schools - Blackburn Elementary, Cottrell Elementary and Long Branch Elementary, visiting the Dahlonega campus for a guided campus tour, lunch in the UNG Dining Hall and front row seats to the game.

After a slow start, the Nighthawks found their rhythm midway through the first half and would eventually take a 49-30 lead into halftime and never look back.

AJ White led all scorers with 26 points on a near perfect 11-of-12 from the floor, including making all four shots from behind the 3-point line.

Colin Turner and Jameel Rideout each scored 13 points apiece to round out the double figure scorers for North Georgia as 12 different Nighthawks made their way into the scoring column.

Tyriq Brown led TFC with a team-best 18 points.

North Georgia dished out 29 assists to just eight turnovers.

The Nighthawks will officially open their season on Friday, Nov. 14 against Lincoln Memorial at the Conference Crossover at Young Harris.