Wednesday, February 7, 2007

SAINTS RALLY FALLS SHORT AGAINST USC AIKEN
Anderson shines in loss with 20+ points

Dahlonega, GA – North Georgia College & State University fell short of ending their Peach Belt Conference losing streak, falling to USC Aiken 72-69 at Memorial Hall Wednesday night.

Down by as many as 12 points with 14:21 to go, the Saints made a push and a chance to tie the game at the end when junior point guard Jakirra Millsap pushed the ball down the floor with less than five seconds to play.  He came within an eyelash of getting a three-pointer up as the buzzer went off but had the ball ‘slapped’ away from him by Shawn Taylor as the lights lit up the backboard signaling the end of the game.

The Saints found themselves down 69-62 late, but rode the wave of emotions from junior guard Jay Anderson down the stretch to make it a contest. Following a pair of emphatic dunks by the Smyrna native, the Saints cut into the lead and actually tying the contest with under two minutes to go.

Junior Xavier Trice started the rally, hitting a lay-up after darting past two defenders to cut the lead to 69-64 with 38 seconds remaining.  The rally kept going when Anderson hit a NBA-range three-pointer to pull the Saints to within three, 69-67, with 19 seconds remaining.  After the Anderson basket, the fouling started that kept the Saints close.

Mark Brown drilled two free throws with 18 seconds to go, putting USC Aiken up 71-67.  The Saints tried to cut the lead to one, but missed a three-pointer.  However, sophomore guard Colby Shaw got amongst the giants and pulled down an offensive rebound.  He was immediately fouled and hit both free throws, trimming the lead to 71-69 with seven seconds to go.

Taylor was fouled with 5.1 seconds remaining, hitting the first and missing the second to set the stage for Millsap.

North Georgia shot a blistering 57.8 (26-for-45) percent from the floor and 35.7 (5-for-14) percent from behind the arc.

USC Aiken (9-15, 3-8 PBC) shot 42.4 (28-for-66) percent from the floor and 40 (6-for-15) percent from behind the arc.

Anderson led North Georgia with 27 points on 10-of-16 shooting from the floor, while Ryan Franklin and Anthony Rowe each added 14.  Rowe grabbed nine rebounds, narrowly missing out on a double-double.  Trice ended the night with 10 points.

Brown led USC Aiken with 18 points, while Taylor added 14 in the victory.

North Georgia (4-19, 0-12 PBC) travels to Florence to take on Francis Marion Saturday afternoon.

 

-NGCSU-

Box Score

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