AUGUSTA, Ga. – Balanced scoring and disciplined defense pushed the University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team past Augusta in a 71-56 Peach Belt Conference victory Wednesday night at George A. Christenberry Fieldhouse as the Nighthawks extended their winning streak to eight games.
North Georgia (19-6, 13-6 PBC) controlled the game's tempo throughout a competitive first half before gradually separating after the break behind efficient shooting and steady trips to the free-throw line.
The opening period featured multiple lead changes and stretches of back-and-forth play before the Nighthawks created breathing room late. An 11-0 North Georgia run over the final minutes pushed the lead to nine at 30-21 with 2:23 remaining. Augusta trimmed the deficit to six, but the Nighthawks answered back to carry a 33-24 advantage into halftime.
North Georgia seized control midway through the second half. A six-point surge roughly six minutes after the restart extended the margin to 15, and the Jaguars never mounted a serious comeback attempt as the Nighthawks methodically protected the lead down the stretch.
Four players scored in double figures for North Georgia, led by AJ White and Colin Turner with 14 points apiece. Jameel Rideout added 13 points, knocking down three 3-pointers, while Chase Champion contributed 12 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting night from the field and 6-of-8 performance at the free-throw line.
The Nighthawks shot an efficient 53.5 percent from the floor and improved as the game progressed, connecting on nearly 59 percent of their second-half attempts. North Georgia also capitalized at the foul line, finishing 19-for-23 (82.6 percent).
Defensively, the Nighthawks limited Augusta's perimeter offense to just 20 percent shooting from beyond the arc and allowed only nine free-throw attempts, compared to North Georgia's 23 chances at the stripe.
The Jaguars (12-18, 7-13 PBC) were led by Daniel Daramola's 14 points.
The Nighthawks return home Saturday for their regular-season finale against USC Beaufort on Feb. 28. Tipoff is scheduled for 4 p.m. as North Georgia celebrates Senior Day at Lynn Cottrell Arena inside the UNG Convocation Center.
