CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - The No. 12 University of North Georgia (UNG) men's tennis team claimed the doubles point but ultimately fell to No. 5 UT Tyler, 4-1, Thursday afternoon at the Champions Club Tennis Complex at Rivermont Park.

The Nighthawks (6-3) opened the match strong by securing the doubles point with wins on the top two courts. Franco Rebora and Marcos Castellanos added a 6-3 victory over Malo Poulesquen and Artiom Dorofeev at No. 2, while Juan Cruz Blanco and Ben Brandl defeated Daniil Felker and Carel Wessel, 6-4, at No. 1 doubles to clinch the early 1-0 lead for North Georgia. UT Tyler picked up its lone doubles win at No. 3 as Job Japelj and Trevor Short topped Lleyton Beasley and Eliseo Alcalde, 6-3.

UT Tyler (10-3) responded in singles play, winning the first four completed matches to secure the team victory.

Franco Rebora fell to No. 20 Samuel Antwi, 6-3, 6-2, at No. 4 singles before Jordi Garcia Portell defeated Lleyton Beasley, 6-1, 6-3, on court five to even the team score at 1-1.

The Patriots then took the lead as No. 48 Carel Wessel downed Juan Cruz Blanco, 7-5, 6-2, at No. 3 singles. No. 36 Artiom Dorofeev followed with a 7-6, 7-5 win over Marcos Castellanos at the top flight to clinch the match.

Two matches remained unfinished. At No. 2 singles, Ben Brandl split the opening two sets against No. 13 Malo Poulesquen before trailing 4-1 in the third when play stopped. Eliseo Alcalde led 1-6, 6-2, 4-3 against Martin Despodov at No. 6 singles when the match was halted.

North Georgia returns to action March 19 at Young Harris.