11-10-19

DAHLONEGA – A strong second half was not enough as the University of North Georgia men’s basketball team fell to North Greenville, 62-58, Friday night in the home opener. The game was part of the Peach Belt Conference / Conference Carolinas Challenge.

The Crusaders led by eight at halftime, taking advantage of a cold start shooting the ball by the Nighthawks. UNG bounced back in the second half to take the lead for the first time on a Shawn Hopkins three with just over 13 minutes to play.

Both teams went back-and-forth for the remainder of the contest with NGU doing just enough to hold on late thanks to made free throws by Corey Walters to ice the game with five seconds left.

NOTES
– This is the first season-opening loss since the 2015-16 season when North Georgia fell to Pfeiffer the last time UNG hosted the PBC / CC Challenge.

– Hopkins led all scorers with 19 points, while North Greenville’s DJ Brooks finished with 17 after fouling out midway through the second half.

– The Nighthawks shot just 27 percent from the field in the game.

– Erskine defeated Georgia College by four, 66-62, in the first game of the day.

NEXT UP
North Georgia will battle Erskine in the final game of the challenge tomorrow afternoon at 4 p.m. in the UNG Convocation Center.