DAHLONEGA — Redshirt-junior Shaquan Cantrell picked a great time for his first double-double of the season as he posted 25 points and 12 rebounds helping lead the University of North Georgia men's basketball team past Young Harris, 91-86, Monday evening at Memorial Hall. The Nighthawks improve to 11-9 on the year with a 7-4 mark atop the Western Division of the Peach Belt Conference.
The Mountain Lions controlled the game early, leading by as many as nine points at the midpoint of the first half. UNG would go on a 17-9 run after the under-eight-minute media timeout though to close the gap to just one heading into the half. A Young Harris turnover followed by an Ephraim Tshimanga three would set the tone right out of the gate in the second half.
The Nighthawks would build a three possession lead a handful of times in the second half only to have YHC scratch their way back in but just after the final media timeout of the game, North Georgia built a lead that the Mountain Lions wouldn't be able to overcome ultimately winning, 91-86.
Cantrell's double-double led the Nighthawks in both points and rebounds. Ephraim Tshimanga added 15 points with nine assists and eight rebounds, just one assist and two rebounds shy of a triple-double.
Ross Morkem and Tyler Dominy were both in double figure scoring as well with 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The win snaps a three-game losing streak in the series for UNG. The Mountain Lions still hold the all-time advantage in the series, 8-5. North Georgia will meet YHC again in the regular season finally on the north side of Blood Mountain on Wednesday, Feb. 22.
UNG will hit the road on Wednesday, traveling to Columbus State for a 7:30 p.m. matchup with the Cougars.
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