Hurricanes Rally Falls Short

Hurricanes Rally Falls Short

DAHLONEGA, GA. -- With 7:26 remaining in the game, a layup by Andre Statam tied the game at 68 points as the Georgia Southwestern men's basketball team rallied from being down by 14 points to tie the game. North Georgia never released the lead as it started to become a shootout for both teams. GSW scored 11 points in the final minute of the game but UNG held strong, winning their homecoming game 92-89 inside the UNG Convocation Center.

GSW's 53-point second half fell three points shy of getting their first Peach Belt win of the season. 

How It Happened: GSW jumped out with the initial lead and took a three point lead, 7-4, four minutes into the game. UNG answered with back-to-back shots of their own to take the lead two minutes later. GSW went scoreless for several minutes as UNG erupted with an eight-point lead, 26-18, with 8:23 left in the first half. 

After being held scoreless, GSW called a timeout with 6:52 remaining. Quenten Taylor made back-to-back shots to come within one possession, 33-30, of the Nighthawks. With three minutes left, UNG went on a 14-6 run to go into halftime up, 47-36.

UNG took their biggest lead, 54-40, with 16:35 remaining in the game as the first media timeout couldn't had came at a better time for the Hurricanes. GSW went on a 12-4 run to bring the score to 58-52 with 13:41 left in the game.

GSW (2-17, 0-13 PBC) shot over 40 percent for the third consecutive game from behind the arc, dropping 12 three's tonight. The Hurricanes shot 47.4 percent from the field compared to UNG, who shot 51.7 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from behind the arc. 

Who Stood Out: Statam led with 17 points and six rebounds followed by R.J. Sessions and Devon Higgs, who both ended with 16 points as Higgs had a team-high seven rebounds. Kwei Lartey was a perfect four-of-four from behind the arc for 14 second-half points. 

UNG (8-11, 3-10 PBC)  was led by Shawn Hopkins, who pilled up 23 points and nine rebounds.

Up Next: GSW invites Georgia College to the Storm Dome on Wednesday, Feb. 6 for a 7:30 p.m. tip off.