DAHLONEGA, Ga.----Six Lander University players scored in double figures but could not overcome North Georgia College & State University as the Saints won 95-88 Wednesday evening in Memorial Gymnasium.
The Saints have now won four in a row and improved to 13-8 overall and 9-6 in the Peach Belt Conference. The Bearcats, who upset USC Upstate on Monday, fall to 6-15 overall and 3-11 in the league.
The lead changed hands six times in the first half with neither team going ahead by double digits. North Georgia gained a 27-25 lead with 9:33 to go off of a jumper from junior guard Buzz Wehunt. The Saints held the lead for the next six minutes until a three from junior guard Jason Davis to put the Bearcats up 41-40. North Georgia was able to reestablish control in the final minute of half, but a last second
lay-up from junior forward Emmanuel Hodrea sent the Saints into the locker room holding a 48-45 advantage.
In the opening minutes of the second half, LU was able to take the lead and move ahead 67-63 with 11:21 left on the clock. A three from Wehunt and four free throws from juniors Matt Causey and Mark Trust gave North Georgia a 70-69 lead with 10:08 to go. A free throw from senior forward
Joe McEachern tied the game momentarily at 74-74, but Wehunt knocked down another three with 7:15 remaining to seal the lead and victory for the Saints.
The Saints posted four players in double figures and were led by Trust who scored a season high 27 and added 11 rebounds for a double-double. Matt Causey was right on his heals with 26 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Current PBC Player of the Week, senior guard Mark Causey,
scored 11 points with six rebounds and Wehunt added a strong performance off the bench with 13 points.
McEachern and senior guard J.T. Greene led LU with 14 points each. Hodrea added 13 points along with junior guard Jarred Jackson who also scored 13 and brought down a team high eight rebounds. Junior guard Michael Griffin tallied 11 points and sophomore forward Scottie Smith added 10 points in the effort.
