By: Bailey Clark, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga.-  Georgia College & State University Men's Basketball (4-4, 0-1 PBC) took a tough 75-73 road loss at Young Harris College (7-0, 1-0 PBC) to kick off Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play, Saturday. 

The Bobcats started the game with three quick points coming from Austin Sloan (Warner Robins) on a two point bucket where he drew the foul and banked the and one shot. The offense went quiet, falling behind 11-3 to the Mountain Lions. The defense took charge and held YHC to those 11 points until around the seven minute mark where the Bobcats still led 15-13. Once GCSU took the lead in the first half they never gave it up, going into the half up 30-28. 

Come the second half the Bobcats and the Mountain Lions went basket for basket trading the lead back and forth. Regulation ended with both squads knotted up at 63 apiece. The two squads ended the first overtime period knotted up at 69, forcing a second overtime period. In the final overtime the Mountain Lions stuck first nailing a free throw to go up 70-69. Much like the rest of the contest the two teams continued to trade blows until YHC ended the contest with a free throw to go up 75-73 with 11 seconds left and the Bobcats couldn't score. 

Despite the loss the Bobcats had five players net double-digit points. Christian Koneman (Chatsworth), Brandon Thomas (McDonough), and Brendan Rigsbee (Suwanee) led the offense, scoring 13 points apiece. Luke Chism (Dawsonville) and Sloan rounded out the double-digit scoring as they both banked 10 points. 

As he also led the charge in rebounds Sloan picked up his first double-double of the season adding 11 rebounds to his box score. Sloan nabbed eight of his 11 rebounds under the Mountain Lion basket. Koneman missed a double-double by a single rebound as he picked up nine. Koneman nabbed six defensive rebounds on the night. Rigsbee was the third leading rebounder with seven to add to an impressive night. He also led the defense with three steals and two blocked shots. 

The Bobcats are back in action Monday, Dec. 12 on the road at the University of North Georgia to continue PBC play. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. with live stats and broadcast links available at GCBobcats.com. 

As a proud recipient of the 2021 PBC Sportsmanship Institution of the Year, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GC Athletics is now two-time winners of both the PBC Commissioner's Cup and the league's sportsmanship honor. As a Division II program, Bobcat Athletics prides itself on balancing the life of the student-athlete, evidenced by the teams' continued appearances in postseason competition as well as high-level academic success and community-service involvement. Bobcat Athletics embodies the mantra of "Graduating Champions for Life." Sign up at @GCSUBobcats on all social media outlets for up-to-the-minute reports.