YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Senior Peyton Robertson dropped in a career-high 21 points for Young Harris College but it wasn't enough as the University of North Georgia held off the Mountain Lions 71-58 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball contest Monday (Jan. 5) evening at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Nighthawks improved to 11-2 overall and to 3-1 inside the conference while the Mountain Lions fell to 4-7 and 1-3. Young Harris returns to action Wednesday (Jan. 7) with a 5:30 p.m. PBC contest against Lander University in Greenwood, South Carolina.

The Mountain Lions, who are ranked No. 3 in the latest NCAA Division II field goal percentage defense (.351), limited the Nighthawks to just 27.1 percent (16-of-59) shooting from the field, but Young Harris only fare slightly better (.277 – 18-of-65).

North Georgia, which led for most of the contest, took its largest lead – 20 points (64-44) – with 5:31 to play on a jumper in the paint by Lauren Pounds. Young Harris got back into the game as they reeled off 12 unanswered points to close to eight points (64-56) on a layup by Rachel Harrell with 2:22 to play.

"We have to give a lot of credit to North Georgia," said YHC interim head coach Matt Stearsman.  "They came in to a good environment and played a lot better than us for twenty minutes. We made a run to get it within eight points and we ran out of gas. We didn't quit and I'm extremely proud of that. We are going to be a good team and I'm seeing improvement every day.

"We just can't get off to a rocky start and play catch up the whole second half," added Stearsman. "Our rocky start had everything to do with North Georgia's toughness and their game plan."

Molly Rainwater, who hit seven three-pointers, led the Nighthawks with 23 points while Stephanie Huffman added 19 points and nine rebounds. Cierra Jackson added a double double for North Georgia with 13 points and a game-high 12 rebounds.

Robertson scored 16 of her career effort in the second half and also pulled down seven rebounds for the Mountain Lions. Harrell finished with 10 points while Shereese Williams grabbed 10 rebounds and scored seven points.