Box Score

MILLEDGEVILLE, GA – The North Georgia men’s basketball fought down to the final buzzer on Wednesday evening, but fell 88-84 at 21st-ranked Georgia College & State University in Peach Belt Conference action at the Centennial Center.

The Saints drop their second straight, falling to 12-8 overall on the season and 7-3 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Bobcats win their 11th straight, staying atop the league’s west division at 17-2 overall and 10-0 in the conference.

The three-point shot kept the Bobcats ahead early, as Georgia College made good on 10-of-16 attempts in the first half for a 50-42 lead at the break. The second half was a different story, as the ‘Cats closed it out from the free-throw line, hitting 15-of-16 in the second half and 25-of-27 overall (.926).

Leading the game's scorers was North Georgia's Carl Taylor with 21 points, aided by 14 and eight rebounds from Bernard Rimmer. Pat Moynihan had 13, and Andrew Bennett added a 10-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Graham Martin knocked down 12-of-13 free throws for 20 total points, leading four scorers in double figures for GCSU. Rowland had 18, Jake Rios added 17 and Andre Mikell11. Mikell had five boards, four assists and three steals for a solid line, while Rios hit 5-of-8 from downtown.

North Georgia shot 48.2 percent from the field, 45.5 percent from long range, and 69 percent from the free throw line, while the bobcats were 44.6 percent from the floor, 48.1 percent from behind the arc, and just 92.6 percent from the charity stripe.

The Saints return to action on Saturday afternoon, playing host to in-state rival Columbus State University as the two teams meet for the second time this season. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall against the Cougars.