AMERICUS - Georgia Southwestern sophomore guard Devin Watson poured in a career-high 25 points Saturday evening in the Storm Dome as the Hurricanes held off the University of North Georgia in overtime, 95-89. North Georgia knocked down three consecutive 3-pointers in the closing 16 seconds of regulation to force extra time.

GSW improved its record to 5-2 at home, 6-10 overall and 4-5 in the Peach Belt Conference, while North Georgia saw its mark even at 9-9, and dip to 5-4 in conference play. It's the second consecutive overtime game in this matchup as North Georgia slipped out of Americus with a 110-101 victory in the regular season finale last year. However, since joining the NCAA in 2006-07, the Hurricanes lead the series against North Georgia, 13-8.

GSW opened up an eight-point lead midway through the first half on Saturday when Rakeem Hicks knocked down a bucket to put the Hurricanes up 18-10. North Georgia pulled within three before GSW answered with a 10-3 run that included 3-pointers from Hicks and Brandon Price, to build its largest lead of the opening period, 36-26, with 3:39 until the break. 

The Hurricanes led, 42-37, at the half.

GSW shooters didn't miss much in the second period. The Hurricanes knocked down a blistering 70.8 percent of their shots over the final 20 minutes of regulation. Cameron Dozier sank all three of his attempts, Cameron Clayton made 4 of 5 and Watson nailed 5 of 7.

Price converted a 3-point play to put GSW ahead, 75-65, with 4:15 left in the second and Dozier hit back-to-back shots to keep it a 10-point lead with 2:16 remaining, but North Georgia would not go away.

Aided by a pair of missed free throws on the front end of GSW bonus attempts, North Georgia trailed by seven with 46 seconds left in regulation and a flurry of action in the final 16 seconds allowed the Nighthawks to force overtime.

Duke Robinson started the North Georgia rally with a 3-pointer. The Hurricanes turned the ball over and Denzell Hosch knocked down a long range 3-pointer from straight on to pull within three. GSW tried to quickly inbound the ball and the pass went beyond its intended target and Hosch emerged from the scrum with the basketball. He quickly turned and sank a three from well behind the arc to tie the game.

Hicks drained a key 3-pointer in the extra session to give the Hurricanes some breathing room and his follow-up dunk with 31 seconds to go kept GSW in control for the win.    

North Georgia forced four more turnovers in the game, but GSW won the battle on the boards, 39-31, and had 10 more points in the paint (52-42).

Price hit 4 of 6 from beyond the arc, 10 of 17 overall, and finished with a game-high 26 points. Dozier added 17 points and dished out a career-best eight assists while Clayton posted his first career double-double with 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds. 

North Georgia was led by Shaquan Cantrell with 23 points. Hosch scored 15 and Ephraim Tshimanga chipped in 12, along with a team-high six rebounds.

The Hurricanes host Clayton State on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.