Box Score

DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College & State University pulled to within four points in the final minute of the game, but the 18th-ranked Bobcats of GCSU held on Wednesday evening for an 83-75 victory in Peach Belt Conference action.

The Saints fall to 10-9 overall and 4-9 in the PBC, while GCSU improves to 17-2 overall and 11-2 in the conference.

North Georgia was led by five players in double figures as Andre Morgan led the way with 20 points. LaBrian Lyons finished with 14, and Xavier Trice and Brody Langston tallied 11 apiece, while Anthony Rowe recorded 10 points on 4-8 shooting and pulled down six rebounds.

Graham Martin paced GCSU with 20 points, while Josh Hurst followed with 18 points in 33 minutes of action. Two other Bobcats finished in double figures as seven players scored for the home team.

The Saints trailed the entire second half, coming as close as five points on three different occasions, and sneaking to within four points with 59 ticks remaining on the clock, but GCSU sank 11 free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

The lead changed hands six times in the first half before the Bobcats rallied late in the opening period for a 38-26 halftime advantage. GCSU led by as many as 13 points in each half before North Georgia went on a run late in the game to close the gap.

The Saints shot 42.3 percent from the floor, while the Bobcats were 43.9 percent from the field and were 11-22 from behind the arc, while North Georgia managed just 5-17 from long range.

The always-tough PBC schedule continues for North Georgia on Saturday afternoon as they return home to host 9th-ranked USC Aiken at 4:00 p.m.