The Bearcats, who saw their once 17-point advantage in the second dwindle down to three points, improved to a school-best 13-0 overall record and a 5-0 ledger in the Peach Belt while Young Harris fell to 5-6 and 2-3. The Mountain Lions will return to action Saturday (Jan. 10) when they host Georgia Southwestern State University in a 3:30 p.m. contest at the YHC Basketball Arena.

Lander led 39-29 at the half as the Bearcats shot 53.8 percent (14-of-26) from the floor while the Mountain Lions shot 30.3 percent (10-of-33). The Bearcats used a 13-2 run to build their lead to 54-37 with 13:45 remaining on a Klair Crouch jumper in the paint.

"We are shooting the ball poorly," said Young Harris head coach Pete Herrmann. "We are pressing offensively. We kept fighting tonight but we couldn't shoot it enough. Kevin played his tail off tonight. He played with great intensity and effort."

Young Harris scored seven unanswered points on a three-pointer by Herdie Lawrence, and a layup and a dunk by Sam Mike to trim the deficit to 54-44 with 10:44 left. The Mountain Lions later used a 12-2 run to get within three points (59-56) on two free throws by C.J. Wilson with 5:47 to play.

Crouch responded with a pair of back-to-back baskets to push Lander's lead to seven points (63-56) 47 seconds later. Lawrence nailed a three-pointer to get the Mountain Lions back within four points (63-59), but the Bearcats reeled off five consecutive points to regain control of the game as Tobiasz Hose's jumper gave Lander a 68-59 lead with 2:23 remaining.

Crouch led Lander with 20 points while Hose finished with 18. J.R. Washington (12), Ricardo Martin (11) and Mike Lee (10) also finished in double figures for the Bearcats.  Isaiah Johnson added 11 points and six rebounds for the Mountain Lions while Wilson also grabbed seven rebounds.