It was the Saints' second straight comeback win after defeating Clayton State last week. The victory, North Georgia's first over a ranked opponent this season, also halted the Jaguars seven-game winning streak.
The Saints (9-7, 4-5 Peach Belt Conference) started strong, taking a 7-0 lead on a three-pointer by Nick Pope, and a pair of buckets by Anthony Rowe. North Georgia led until the 8:24 mark of the first half before falling behind by seven, but five consecutive points from Marquez Jackson cut the Jaguars lead to 27-29 at the break.
But coach Chris Faulkner's club has displayed mental toughness all season and continued that trend in the second half, overcoming a five-point Augusta State lead to tie the game 44-44 on a layup by Pope.
North Georgia took its first lead of the second half, 51-50, on a 3-pointer by Andre Morgan with 8:03 remaining.
ASU responded, taking a 59-58 lead with 3:28 to play, but the Saints had an answer -- this time a pair of free throws from Morgan off a technical foul gave the Saints the momentum back. And North Georgia led by as many as seven down the stretch.
Morgan led the way for the Saints with 26 points and six rebounds, followed by Pope with 12 points and eight boards and Rowe, who also scored in double figures with 10 points.
North Georgia will return to action at Georgia Southwestern University on January 30, for a 7:30 p.m. Peach Belt Conference match-up.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/206307