The lead bounced back and forth in the first half as the Saints (8-6 5-4) and Pirates (13-2, 7-1) jockeyed to take control of the game. A jumper from junior forward David Lopez with 10:50 to go in the half put AASU up 18-17. The Pirates extended their lead to as much as eight before North Georgia fought back to go up 35-34 with 3:33 left in the half. The Saints extended their lead to five off of a lay-up from freshman post Anthony Rowe with 2:58, but AASU rattled off 11 straight points to finish off the half. Junior guard Tory Harris and sophomore forward Bryan Taylor led the 11 point charge, scoring eight of the 11 points to give the Pirates a 45-39 half time advantage.

North Georgia came out and tied the game four minutes into the second half off of a lay-up from junior post Mark Trust. The Saints were able to move ahead 53-49, but the Pirates tied the score 56-56 with 13:20 remaining in the ball game. The lead changed hands once again until a three from Galloway put AASU up 62-60. The Pirates went on a 12-4 run over the next two minutes to go up 74-64, but North Georgia would not go down easily. The Saints tied up the ball game with a flurry of three from Mark and Matt Causey to knot the game up 78-78 with 4:13 to go. AASU responded with a jumper from Galloway and then finished the contest with a 20-7 run.

Galloway led all scorers with 25 points followed by Harris who added 20. Sophomore forward Patrick Sanou and junior forward David Lopez each added 13 points to the effort. Taylor posted a double-double with 10 points and a game high 13 rebounds.

The Saints were led by Mark Causey, who scored 21 points and added six rebounds and six steals. Brother Matt tallied his fourth double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 assists. Junior guard Buzz Wehunt shot 50 percent from the floor and scored 14 points followed by Rowe's 13 and Trust's 10.

North Georgia returns to action on Monday as they take on Francis Marion University on the road for a 7:30 showdown. AASU will take to the floor on Monday as well, as they host Augusta State University.

Mark Causey