YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Isaiah Johnson set a Young Harris College single-game scoring record with 40 points – 30 in the second half – as the Mountain Lions upset No. 22 Columbus State University 85-80 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Sunday (Feb. 15) at the YHC Basketball Arena.
The Mountain Lions, who defeated their second nationally ranked opponent in as many weeks, won their fifth consecutive game as they improved to 10-12 overall and to 7-9 in the conference, while Columbus State fell to 18-5 and 12-4. Young Harris hits the road Wednesday (Feb. 18) for a crucial 7:30 p.m. league encounter against Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, Georgia.
Johnson, who was 13-of-24 from the field and 11-of-12 from the charity stripe, broke the previous record (as a four-year instituttion) of 38 held by Frank Adams (vs. University of South Carolina Aiken – Jan, 19, 2013) and Malcolm Jackson (vs. Azusa Pacific University – Nov. 23, 2012).
"Isaiah had a fabulous game," said Young Harris head coach Pete Herrmann. "He held the conference's leading scorer (Kenney Funderburk) to three baskets and seven points tonight and still managed to get 40 points."
Columbus State took its only lead of the game at 6-5 on a layup by B.J. Battle with 17:00 left in the first, but the Mountain Lions took the lead for good nine seconds later when Herdie Lawrence nailed a three-pointer. Two free throws by Bjorn Walker with 3:04 remaining in the half gave YHC a 32-26 lead before the Mountain Lions took a 34-30 lead at the half.
The Mountain Lions extended their lead to nine points (41-31) on two free throws by Johnson with 17:45 to play, but Columbus State narrowed the lead to three points (58-55) on an old-fashioned three-point play by DeAngelo Kirkland with 8:11 left.
Young Harris quelled the Cougar comeback as they went on a 15-5 run over the next three minutes to open up a 13-point lead (73-60) on an old-fashioned three-point play by Johnson, who scored nine points during the decisive rally. The Mountain Lions took their largest lead – 14 points (82-68) – on a three-pointer by C.J. Wilson with 1:35 left.
Wilson finished with 16 points and six rebounds for the Mountain Lions while Lawrence added 13 points and six rebounds. Walker grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds while Kevin Altifor pulled down six rebounds and scored nine points.
"I thought the team is coming together and playing well," said Herrmann. "The defense has been carrying us. It helps us get a lead and then maintain it."
Shane Heyward led the Cougars with 22 points while Ty Harris (12) and Brent Jackson (11) also finished in double figures. Kirkland led Columbus State with 10 rebounds.
