Saturday, December 2 , 2006

SAINTS COME-FROM-BEHIND FOR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WIN
Saints come from 12 down to defeat West Alabama

Valdosta, GA - North Georgia College & State University rallied from 12 down in the first half, to claim a 71-61 victory over the University of West Alabama at the PAB Classic here Saturday afternoon - the Saints fourth consecutive victory.

Down 23-11, the Saints rallied when senior Dustin David connected on a three-pointer with 10:41 remaining in the first half to trim the lead to nine at 23-14. Junior guard Lee Burrell connected on a three-pointer the next trip down the floor to trim the lead to six, 23-17, with 9:33 remaining in the first half. David struck again, this time with 7:49 remaining in the half, hitting another three to trim the lead to 23-20. The Tigers would answer, and trade baskets with the Saints for the rest of the half, enabling them to take a 35-29 lead into intermission.

The Saints battled back in the second half, taking their first lead on a three-point play by junior Xavier Trice, 39-38 with 16:40 remaining in the contest. West Alabama, however, tied the game back up and eventually took the lead back at 46-43 when Jenario Bunton connected on a three-pointer with 14:32 to play.

North Georgia took the lead for good when Trice connected on the front end of a two shot foul, giving the Saints a 54-53 lead with 9:39 to play. They would connect on five of their final seven shots from the floor and would hit their final five free throws at the end of the game to secure the victory.

"I felt like some of the guys stepped it up when we needed them to today," North Georgia coach Chris Faulkner said. "They stepped up their intensity level for us, and everyone responded."

North Georgia shot 43.6 (24-for-55) percent from the floor, including shooting 60.9 (11-for-21) percent in the second half. They shot 52.4 (11-for-21) percent from behind the arc, including shooting 55.6 (5-for-9) percent from behind the arc in the second half. They also shot 63.2 (12-for-19) percent from the free throw line.

Meanwhile, West Alabama shot 40.4 (23-for-57) percent from the floor, and 40.7 (11-for-27) percent from behind the arc. They also shot 66.7 (4-for-6) percent from the free throw line.

David finished with a game-high 19 points on 5-for-8 shooting from behind the arc, while Trice finished with 16 points and Buzz Wehunt added 15 in the victory. Point guard Jakirra Millsap finished with a game-high nine rebounds for the Saints.

Bunton led West Alabama with 14 points, while Patrick Winters added 11 and Raymond Shaw 10 in the losing effort.

North Georgia (4-4) is off this week due to final exams, but returns to action on December 11 as they travel to Carrollton to take on the State University of West Georgia.

- NGCSU-

Box Score

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