DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team travelled to play Peach Belt Conference's North Georgia in the final regular season game on Saturday afternoon. The Hurricanes were triumphant in the end with at 83-77 finish, after seeing double-digit scoring from five Hurricanes.
Georgia Southwestern finishes the regular season with 19-9 overall and 11-8 PBC record. North Georgia Nighthawks finish the season with 12-13 overall and 9-10 PBC record.
North Georgia was off to an early start after making the first basket after tipoff. This was the only lead that the Nighthawks held for the rest of the game. After a couple quick points by Jamon Hawkins, Adrian Knight, and Daryl Davis, to put GSW in the lead, the Hurricanes and Nighthawks went back and forth in scoring. The largest lead the Hurricanes were able to hold a six point lead in the first half up until Alan Arnett made a layup and four free throws to get make a nine point lead. Followed by two three-pointers from Hawkins to finish the half. The Hurricanes went into the half up 13 points, 37-24.
The Nighthawks came back at the beginning of the half with an 8-2 run right away. By 17:40, Arnett and Davis took it between the two of them to score the next 14 points for GSW. Johathan Brooks ended the exclusive Arnett, Davis show with a dunk at 14:13. The Hurricanes are up fourteen points, 44-41.
North Georgia went on another eight point run, to be ended by a necessary three-pointer by Hawkins at 10:38. The Hurricanes were able to hold onto their lead throughout the remainder of the game. Out of the final eight successful trips down the court for GSW, six were from a pair of free throws made between Hawkins, Davis, Arnett, and Brooks. Nevertheless, the Nighthawks kept it a close game as they brought the score within two points with less than 25 seconds to go. With all the successful free throws for GSW the game ended with Georgia Southwestern securing their 19th win of the regular season.
Georgia Southwestern shot a great 70.4% (19-of-27) from the free throw line; 50% (4-of-8) from beyond the arc; and 52% (27-of-63) from the field. Double Digits were seen by five Hurricanes. Brooks completed a double-double of 12 points and 13 rebounds. Arnett had a game high of 23 points, six rebounds, and one block. Arnett went 11-for-14 from behind the free-throw line. Davis added 18 points, six rebounds, two blocks and steals. Jamon Hawkins added 18 points and five rebounds, four of his field goals were three-pointers. Josh Birchfield contributed ten points and two rebounds.
North Georgia experienced double-digits from Ishmael Hollis, Chris Tanzy, Lamar Richardson, and Shaquan Cantrell.
The Hurricanes are still in action after the conclusion of the regular season. They will be playing again at Columbus State in the Quarterfinals of the PBC Tournament against Lander at 5 p.m. on Friday.