DAHLONEGA, Ga. - JR Washington netted a game-high 18 points and Kiair Crouch added 17 Saturday afternoon, but it wasn't enough as the Lander men's basketball team fell to North Georgia, 81-79, in a Peach Belt Conference game at Memorial Hall.

The Nighthawks improve to 13-6 overall and 7-5 in the PBC, while Lander moves to 15-5, 7-5.

Washington connected on 6-of-12 floor shots and 3-of-6 free throws. Ricardo Martin and Mike Lee added 15 points each, while Tobiasz Hose contributed nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

Shaquan Cantrell led North Georgia with 16 points, while Travis Core added 15 points and eight rebounds, T.J. Williams and Tyler Dominy 13 points each, and Sean Brennan 10 points.

The Bearcats, who won the battle of the boards, 37-32, connected on 26-of-69 floor shots (37.7 percent), including 4-of-14 threes (28.6 percent), and 23-of-33 free throws (69.7 percent).

The Nighthawks, who led at halftime, 45-43, were 28-of-48 from the field (58.3 percent), including 6-of-9 three pointers (66.7 percent), and 19-of-25 foul shots (76 percent).

Lander will next host Francis Marion at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, in a PBC contest.