Pacers Out Run Nighthawks, 90-82

DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Visiting USC Aiken scored the game’s first eight points and never looked back as the Pacers led wire-to-wire in a 90-82 Peach Belt Conference win over the University of North Georgia men’s basketball team on Monday evening in UNG’s Memorial Hall.

North Georgia falls to 8-6 overall and the blemish is the first in league play.

Ebo Smith led four Nighthawks in double figures with 18 points, highlighted by 4-of-8 from behind the 3-point line. Ephriam Tshimanga matched his season high of 15 points fueled by a perfect 9-of-9 showing from the charity stripe.

Ross Morkem and Roderick English added 11 and 10 respectively for UNG.

For most of the second half, USC Aiken held at least an eight-point lead and extended the score to 14 when Jalin Barnes hit a three-pointer to make it 75-61 with 6:11 to play.

North Georgia fought back and pulled within five at 85-80, but a USCA jumper with 29 ticks remaining pushed the score to 87-80. The Nighthawks made it 88-82 with 11 seconds to go but the Pacers buried a pair of free throws to close it out.

NOTES
– The Pacers are now 8-4 overall, including a 2-3 record in Peach Belt Conference play.

– Leading the way for USC Aiken was Jalin Barnes with 24 points. Mark Matthews added a double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

– Barnes and teammate Christian Noble combined to make 10-of-19 shots from long range.

NEXT
North Georgia hits the road again on Wednesday, Jan. 11 for a 7:30 league tilt against Georgia College in Milledgeville.