AMERICUS - The Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team sits alone atop the west division of the Peach Belt Conference after winning a black-and-blue battle with UNC Pembroke, 61-39, at the Storm Dome on Sunday afternoon. GSW held UNCP to 22.9 percent shooting, including 10 percent from beyond the arc. 

The Hurricanes, winners of five straight and eight of their last nine, trailed early, falling behind 9-4 in the opening six minutes of the game. 

Southwestern grabbed the lead for good with 8:49 remaining in the first half (21-18).

The margin grew to 11 points at the break (32-21) and eventually expanded to 22 (55-33) with 4:50 to play.

GSW finished the game shooting 34.8 percent from the floor. The teams combined for only 27 field goals.

However, the Hurricanes turned in an impressive performance from the charity stripe, sinking their first 21 free throws and finishing the game 23 of 25 from the line. 

GSW converted 20 UNCP turnovers into 20 points, while the Braves picked up 12 points off of Hurricane miscues.

Evan Mobley led GSW with a game-high 13 points. Colin Slotter added 10. Phillip Brown grabbed 10 rebounds.

The Braves (11-4, 4-3 PBC) failed to have one player score in double figures. Chris Hargrove led UNCP with nine points. George Blakeney pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Hurricanes have won four-consecutive PBC games (with a 17-point margin of victory). A far cry from last year, where GSW won three conference games all season.

Meanwhile, it was UNCP's first loss by more than four points this season. The Braves entered the game averaging 81.0 points per game, which was third in the conference.

GSW (10-3, 4-1) returns to action on Wednesday, hosting North Georgia at 7:30 p.m.