DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Clayton State University overcame a 19-point deficit in the third quarter, but the No. 15 University of North Georgia Nighthawks persevered in the end and won, 80-71, on Wednesday evening.
 
The Nighthawks took the early advantage and scored eight of the first 11 points.  Jada Francois Lubin knocked in the lone field goal early in the quarter.  After Raven Riley hit a field goal making the score, 8-5, North Georgia scored five straight points and grew their lead to 13-5.  Riley then drained a three and made a layup to cut the Nighthawk lead to 13-10.  The Lakers kept fighting until the Nighthawks started to distance themselves in the final minute of the quarter when they marked the final seven points.  UNG led the Lakers, 25-15, going into the second. 
 
The Nighthawks started the second quarter the way they finished the first as they went on a 9-2 run and extended their lead to 34-17.  Laylah Davis converted an and-one opportunity to break up the run.  With three minutes left, the Lakers started to cut into their deficit.  Down 44-24, I'Uana Slaughter and Davis combined for nine of the next 10 points but still trailed 49-33. 
 
Jadah Waite made a last-second layup as time expired in the quarter but North Georgia took a 49-35, lead going into the locker room.  Davis and Riley led the Lakers with nine and seven points, respectively.  North Georgia shot 66% from behind the arc and 56% from the field. 
 
Halftime: No. 15 North Georgia 49, Clayton State 35
 
In the beginning of the third quarter, North Georgia had all the momentum as they scored seven of the first nine points and made the score 56-37.  The Lakers then started to make a serious run at the Nighthawks.  Slaughter's three-pointer sparked a 12-0 run and made the score 56-49.  In addition to Slaughter, Hannah Wright and Davis also rained down threes. After UNG made a free throw, the Lakers kept their foot on the gas and eventually tied the game at 57, after going on an 8-0 run. 
 
The Lakers outscored the Nighthawks, 24-10, in the third quarter as the two teams were tied at 59 going into the fourth. 
 
The two teams traded layups to start the fourth quarter as the two teams were tied at 61.  With the Lakers up 63-61, North Georgia distanced themselves from the Lakers.  They ended up going on a 7-0 run until Waite hit a pair of free throws.  The Nighthawks led, 68-65.  After Davis' layup cut the deficit to 68-67, the Nighthawks splashed through three-straight three-pointers and made the score 77-67. 
 
That proved to be the difference-maker down the stretch as the No. 15 team in the land downed the Lakers, 80-71. 
 
GAME VITALS
Final: No. 15 North Georgia 80, Clayton State 71
Records: No. 15 North Georgia: 12-2 (4-1 PBC) | Clayton State: 7-6 (2-2 PBC)
Location: UNG Convocation Center | University of North Georgia | Dahlonega, Ga.
 
QUICK HITS

• Davis led the Lakers with 18 points and six boards.
• Riley followed with nine points and Audrey McElhaney added seven.
• Davis and McElhaney both led the Lakers with four steals.
• The Lakers shot 81% from the charity strike.
• The Lakers outscored the Nighthawks, 30-15, on points off the bench, 44-34 in points-in-the-paint, and 21-7, in points off turnovers.

 
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lakers welcome the Bearcats of Lander University to the Loch on Saturday, January 11^th.  Tipoff is set for 1:30 p.m.  Saturday's game is also Greek Night!
 
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