By: Bailey Clark, Sports Information Graduate Assistant

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga.- Georgia College & State University Men's Basketball (4-11, 0-8 PBC) took an 83-71 loss to No. 22 University of North Georgia (11-2, 4-1 PBC), Saturday afternoon.

The game kicked off strong for the Nighthawks as they found the early 8-0 lead. UNG and GCSU traded baskets through the first half and with a couple of back-to-back baskets, the Bobcats brought the game within a single possession. Richard Crawford III (Evans) nailed the three-point basket to knot the game at 30. The Nighthawks made a three-point basket for their final of the quarter as the Bobcats kept the hot hands and iced 10 more points to solidify the 40-33 halftime lead.

The second half started with two UNG layups as the Bobcats were still up by a single three-point bucket. Baskets were exchanged by both squads until there was a little more than 16 minutes to go in the contest and the Nighthawks evened the contest at 44. Field goals and free throws were traded tying the game after almost every made basket. UNG jumped in front of the Bobcats by a single point with just under 10 minutes to go then continued to build their lead to take the 83-71 lead.

The Bobcat offense netted 71 points through two halves in great part to the four double-digit scorers. Brendan Rigsbee (Suwanee), Ian Davis (Lawrenceville) and Crawford all lead the scoring effort with 12 points apiece. Rigsbee went 4-for-12 from field goal range including an impressive 2-for-3 from three point range. He also went 100% from the free throw stripe. Davis came in hot off the bench as the only reserve to ice double-digit points. Davis went 3-for-9 from field goal which included two, three-point buckets while he added four free throws to go 100% from the line. His 12-point game is good for his career high. Crawford was the final player to net 12 points in the contest going 3-for-5 from the stripe and 4-for-12 from field goal range. Zyair Greene (Lithonia) rounded out the double-digit scoring with 10 points. He was the third Bobcat to shoot 100% from the free throw stripe with his other six points coming from behind the arc.

Rigsbee led the rebounding effort for GCSU with eight which all came under the Nighthawk basket. He also added a blocked shot to his already impressive box score. Crawford was the second leading rebounder for the Bobcats nabbing seven with five being defensive. Crawford rounded out his impressive night with five assists to lead the team.

The Bobcats are back in action in the Centennial Center Wednesday, Jan. 18 to take on Young Harris College. Live stats and broadcast links will be available for the 7:30 p.m. tip-off 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.