Box Score

DAHLONEGA, GA – North Georgia College & State University snapped a two-game losing streak and picked up a huge victory over 9th-ranked USC Aiken Saturday afternoon in Memorial Hall, defeating the Pacers 77-67 in Peach Belt Conference action.

North Georgia picks up their first win of the season over a ranked team and improves to 11-9 overall and 5-9 in the PBC, while #9 USC Aiken falls to 16-5 overall and 11-3 in the conference.

The Pacers led 14-6 with 11:50 remaining in the first half when North Georgia clamped down on defense and found a nitch on the offensive end to spark a 20-0 run over the next nine minutes, capped by a jumper from Anthony Rowe to give the Saints a 26-14 lead.

USCA pulled to within nine points at the half, and came out in the second period and came as close as one point from the lead at 38-37 with 16:01 remaining when the Saints came back to life and went on a 7-0 run to lead 47-39. North Georgia dominated down the stretch, leading by as many as 16 points before defeating the Pacers 77-76.

Andre Morgan paced North Georgia with 20 points on 3-5 shooting from behing the arc, while LaBrian Lyons added 18 and Brody Langston chipped in 13.

Javonte Claton led all scorers with 22 points for USCA, while Chris Commons was the only other Pacer to score in double figures with 14 points and seven rebounds.

North Georgia shot 46.8 percent from the floor and 45.5 percent from long range, while USC Aiken was 39.7 percent from the field and 25 percent from behind the arc.

The Saints return to action on Wednesday evening as they travel to take on in-state rival Columbus State University at 5:30 p.m. in the Lumpkin Center.