COLUMBUS, Ga. - Colin Turner posted a season-high 26 points and 15 rebounds, but the University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team fell 77-68 to Columbus State in a Peach Belt Conference matchup Thursday night.

North Georgia briefly led early in the first half, but back-to-back three-pointers by the Cougars swung momentum in favor of Columbus State. The Cougars built their lead to as many as 17 points with 9:03 remaining in the opening frame and carried a 46-30 advantage into halftime.

The Nighthawks came out strong to open the second half, using an 8-0 run, six points coming from Turner, to force a Columbus State timeout with 17:12 remaining. Despite the surge, the Cougars responded and extended the margin to 20 points with 10:57 left.

UNG continued to battle behind key contributions from Turner, Zack Hawkinson and Jake Stephens, trimming the deficit to six points with 3:07 remaining. North Georgia outscored Columbus State 38-31 in the second half but was unable to overcome the first-half deficit.

Turner recorded a double-double to lead the Nighthawks, finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds.

With the loss, North Georgia moved to 11-6 overall and 5-6 in Peach Belt play.

Columbus State moved to 14-6 overall and 8-4 in conference action behind Marlon Smith's 29 points and nine rebounds.

The Nighthawks return to action Jan. 31 when they host Clayton State at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center.