DAHLONEGA, Ga. | Khalil Green scooped up a career-high 22 points as Georgia College & State University defeated the University of North Georgia 77-59 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday (Feb. 5) night at Lynn Cottrell Arena.
The Bobcats won their second conference game in a row and third in four games, climbing to a 8-13 overall and to 3-8 in the PBC. The Nighthawks fell to 13-9 and 5-5 and 13-9. GCSU will attempt to win three in a row with its weekend match-up against Flagler College Saturday (Feb. 8) at 3:30 p.m. inside the Centennial Center.
North Georgia took a 2-0 lead to start the game, but that would be the only lead the Nighthawks would enjoy during the contest.
The Bobcats jumped out in front early against the Nighthawks, as Green would make consecutive three-pointers to take an 8-2 lead. GCSU maintained a five-point lead in the early going, and it quickly extended to a nine-point lead as James Nichols III laid down his first points to open up a 16-7 lead with 14:23 remaining. Zyair Greene connected on a three-pointer in the waning seconds of the first half to put the Bobcats up 11 points (33-22) at the half.
Green would start the second half the same way as the first, with a bucket from the three-point line. Tony Carpio would then trade baskets with Green, giving the Bobcats a 16-point lead, which would climb to a 19-point lead (45-26) after Nichols dropped in another three-pointer with 16:55 to go. GCSU took its largest lead at 22 points when Green nailed a three-pointer with 9:10 remaining.
Green's 22 points, formed from a 4-of-5 day from behind the three-point line, led the Bobcats and would be followed by Greene (17), Nichols (14), and Carpio (11). Nichols and Mason Etter led the team in rebounds with seven, and Green would clock in four assists.
About GCSU Athletics
Owning the top Academic Success Rate among all public colleges and universities in Division II for four consecutive academic years, the Georgia College Department of Athletics sponsors 11 varsity athletic programs at the NCAA Division II level. GCSU Athletics has won five consecutive Presidents' Awards for Academic Excellence, and are two-time winners of the PBC Commissioner's Cup and four-time winners of the PBC Institution of the Year Sportsmanship Award. 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 or subscribe to the GSCU Athletics e-newsletter to receive the latest news, schedule updates and to interact with GCSU Athletics.
