DAHLONEGA, Ga. – In a game of runs it would be North Georgia (7-9, 2-8 PBC) that would get the final one as Clayton State (5-11, 2-8 PBC) dropped an 80-65 decision in an NCAA Division II men's basketball game on Wednesday, January 23.
 
Freshman guard Savvon Delgado (Atlanta, Ga.) obliterated his career-high with 15 points in just 18 minutes, knocking down three triples in the process, to lead the Lakers. Fellow newcomer freshman forward Ricardo Saams, Jr. (Miramar, Fla.) also had a career night with 12 points and nine boards, both personal bests.
 
Senior guard Justin Tuckson (Stafford, Va.) finished with 11 points and junior guard Christoff Nairn (West Palm Beach, Fla.) added nine points and four rebounds while redshirt-senior guard Aubrey McRae (Augusta, Ga.) chipped in with seven points.
 
Following a quick free throw by Clayton State in the opening seconds, North Georgia erupted for a 33-12 lead behind nine points apiece from Zach Cottrell and Jack Howard. And then it was the Lakers' turn.
 
With a spark off of the bench, Delgado saw his first extensive playing time in the Orange and Blue as he provided eight points in a 14-0 run that nearly erased the advantage that UNG had built up, cutting all the way to 33-27 by the 3:19 mark.
 
The Nighthawks answered with a 9-2 stretch, fueled by six points from De'Undra Singleton, to extend to a 42-29 lead with 1:02 on the clock before a pair of Hunter free throws and a Delgado triple made it 42-34 heading into the break.
 
That would change dramatically over the first 9:43 as UNG came out on fire, putting together an 18-10 run that extended their lead to 60-44. As had been the case all night, it would be punch-counter punch and this time the Lakers would respond with a 10-2 stretch that pulled them to within 62-54 by the 7:06 mark.
 
An exchange of baskets kept it at that margin but an 8-2 stretch by the Nighthawks broadened that gap to 72-56 with 4:10 to play. From there they would go on to close out the 80-65 victory.
 
Shawn Hopkins put home three three-pointers on his way to a game-high 16 points to lead UNG while Ephraim Tshimanga finished with 13 points, nine assists and four steals. Cottrell just missed a double-double with 11 points and eight boards and Howard and Singleton contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively, to round out the top performers.
 
The Lakers return to action when they host UNC Pembroke in a rematch of last season's 2018 Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship Game. Game time is set for approximately 3:30 p.m. following the women's contest at The Loch.
 
NOTES
Delgado blew past his previous career-high of three points and his 18 minutes were six more than he had played all season … Saams surpassed his previous best of seven points vs. Barton (11/17/18) and six boards at Mount Olive (11/16/18).