DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team saw its first game action of the 2026-27 season on Wednesday afternoon in a 92-49 win in an exhibition against Toccoa Falls as a part of the 8th Annual Lumpkin County School System's (LCSS) Fifth Graders' Day Out. 

Fifth graders from Blackburn Elementary, Cottrell Elementary and Long Branch Elementary packed the stands in Lynn Cottrell Arena to watch the Nighthawks hit the floor for the first time this year. As a part of the LCSS Fifth Graders' Day Out festivities, students were taken on a guided tour of UNG's Dahlonega campus and treated to lunch at the UNG Dining Hall before making their way to the game. 

The Nighthawks and Screaming Eagles traded baskets from the opening tip, with North Georgia holding an 18-15 lead after the first 10 minutes. UNG's offense started to come alive as they strung together a run to jump out to a 41-20 lead at halftime. 

Coming out of the break, the Nighthawks continued to excel on both ends of the floor and built off their momentum in the first half to seal the win. 

In his first collegiate minutes, Tatum Holmes shined as North Georgia's leading scorer with 25 points. The freshman guard shot 7-10 from the field and knocked down six threes. 

Zack Hawkinson, Stephen Akwiwu, Jake Stephens and Dae Morrissette each scored in double figures, helping propel North Georgia to shoot over 50% from the field and from beyond the arc. All 14 Nighthawks saw the floor in the win. 

Mudia Gbowa led the Screaming Eagles with 10 points. 

The Nighthawks have their first official game of the 2026-27 awaiting, with Lee scheduled to visit UNG at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center on Monday, Nov. 9 at 8 p.m.