GREENWOOD, S.C.– Despite a game-high 29 points from Shawn Hopkins, the University of North Georgia men's basketball team fell 107-104 in overtime to Lander Wednesday night.
The Nighthawks held a seven-point advantage at halftime, but Lander came storming back to tie the game at 61-61 early in the second half. After going back-and-forth for a majority of the second half, the Bearcats took an 87-81 lead with just over five minutes to play.
UNG battled back, scoring the next eight points to retake the lead before LU held on to a two-point lead with just 15 seconds left in regulation. Ephraim Tshimanga drew a foul and nailed two free throws to force overtime. The Nighthawks took an early lead in the extra frame, but Lander stretched a lead out to six points, too far away for a late comeback attempt from UNG.
NOTES
– Six UNG players finished in double figures, led by Hopkins. Zez Steeple finished with 18, while Jack Howard came off the bench to contribute 15. Lanre Olatunji and Zach Cottrell added 13 and 12, respectively, and Tshimanga put up 11 points.
– North Georgia has lost four of the last five games that have gone to overtime, spanning back to the 2016-17 season.
– The 104 points scored is the highest scoring output in a loss since falling to Lander at home last season, 110-106. It is the second time where UNG has scored over 100 points in a loss since 2009.
NEXT UP
UNG will look to bounce back against Georgia Southwestern Saturday afternoon at the UNG Convocation Center. Tip time is set for 4 p.m.
