BEAUFORT, S.C. — The No. 10 University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team battled hard on the road Saturday but fell 77-75 to USC Beaufort in Peach Belt Conference action at The Cove.
The Sand Sharks used a 15-0 run midway through the first half to open their largest lead of the game, putting UNG in a 16-point hole with 5:12 remaining before halftime. The Nighthawks responded with resiliency, closing the half on a 12-2 run to cut the deficit to 34-28 heading into the break.
UNG carried that momentum into the second half, leaning heavily on points in the paint early. A basket by
AJ White pulled the Nighthawks within three just five minutes into the half, and a
Colin Turner three-point play later made it a one-score game with 11:05 to play.
Perimeter shooting kept UNG within striking distance the rest of the way, as the Nighthawks went 6-of-9 from three-point range in the second half. UNG outscored USC Beaufort 47-43 after halftime, but the early deficit ultimately stood as the difference.
Jameel Rideout and
Ja'mari Arnold led the Nighthawks with 14 points apiece, while
Zack Hawkinson anchored the defensive effort with a team-high nine rebounds to go along with 12 points.
With the loss, North Georgia moves to 11-4 overall and 5-4 in Peach Belt Conference play.
USC Beaufort (13-4, 7-3 PBC) was led by Dominic Eason's 18 points.
The Nighthawks return home on Jan. 21 for a Peach Belt Conference matchup against Augusta in Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
