DAHLONEGA — C.J. Wilson's jumper with 1.5 seconds remaining was the difference as Young Harris College held off the University of North Georgia men's basketball team for an 84-82 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball victory Monday evening evening in UNG's Memorial Hall.
The Mountain Lions took their largest lead of the game at 16 points (73-57) on a Wilson jumper with 8:13 to play. North Georgia used a 23-6 run over the next seven minutes culminated by a Tanner Plemmons three-pointer from the left corner to give the Nighthawks their first lead since the opening moments of the game at 80-79 with 1:23 to play.
Young Harris won its fourth consecutive game as it improved to 6-7 overall and to 4-0 in the Peach Belt while the Nighthawks fell to 4-9 and to 2-2.
Wilson tied the game at 80 for the Mountain Lions as he hit the first of two free throws five seconds later. YHC retook the lead at 82-80 with 43.1 seconds, but the Nighthawks tied the game at 82 when Corey Green hit two free throws with 29.2 seconds remaining.
Wilson led Young Harris with 26 points on 12-of-26 shooting from the floor.
T.J. Williams and Green led the Nighthawks with 17 points while Sean Brennan added 16 points and six assists. Juan Rivas added a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
The Battle of Blood Mountain contest marked the 10th meeting between the two programs with Young Harris now holding a 6-4 all-time advantage.
North Georgia hosts Augusta University at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Memorial Hall.
