Dahlonega, Ga. - The North Georgia College & State University men's basketball team fought back from a 43-39 halftime deficit to defeat Covenant College 94-73 in the first game of the 2004-2005 basketball season.

In first half the Scots (0-1) came out firing from beyond the arch as they shot 79% from the three point line. Covenant junior point guard Nate Beers (Colorado Springs, Co.) was three for three behind the line and scored 11 points in the first half. Sophomore point guard Josh Suddath (Chattanooga, Tenn.) was the leading scorer for the Scots in the first half with 13 points and was five for eight from the field.

The Saints (1-0) were led in the first half by sophomore point guard Matt Causey (Gainesville, Ga.) who scored 20 of his team leading 29 points in the first. North Georgia struggled to find a basket and shot 12-30 in the first half and were out rebounded 15-12 by Covenant.

In the second half North Georgia, led by senior point guard Bryce Brickhouse (Norcross, Ga.), came out on fire and out-scored the Scots 53-30. Brickhouse scored 20 points in the second half after shooting seven of nine from the field and three for four from beyond the arc. Junior forward Dustin David (Nicholson, Ga.) and junior point guard Mark Causey (Gainesville, Ga) also chipped in 11 and 16 points for North Georgia in the victory. Covenant was led by Suddath, who finished the game with a team leading 22 points.

Next up for the Saints is their second home game of the season as Toccoa Falls College comes to visit Saturday night at 7:00 pm. The Scots make their first road trip of the season as they head to Rome, Ga. to take on Berry College in the Berry Tour Tournament this Saturday.