DAHLONEGA, Ga. – The University of North Georgia scored seven unanswered point in the final minutes as the Nighthawks edged Young Harris College 59-56 in a Peach Belt Conference women's basketball game at Memorial Hall Wednesday (Feb. 4) evening.

The game, which saw neither team enjoy more than a six-point lead at any point, featured 12 lead changes and 12 ties.

North Georgia improved to 18-4 overall and to 10-3 in the league while the Mountain Lions slipped to 9-11 and 6-7. Young Harris will entertain University of North Carolina at Pembroke Saturday (Feb. 7) at 1:30 p.m. at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Mountain Lions took their final lead at 46-44 when Peyton Robertson hit two free throws with 7:16 to play. Young Harris went 11-for-11 from the charity stripe.  

Ciera Johnson gave the Nighthawks the lead for good as she hit an old-fashioned three-point play to give UNG a 47-46 lead with 6:03 left. Two free throws by Stephanie Huffman and a layup by Kelsey Hutchins extended their lead to 51-46 with 3:16 to play.

"We played hard enough to win," said YHC interim head coach Matt Stearsman. "North Georgia made some key plays down the stretch and that was the difference. They are so well coached and you have to play very well to beat them. We were a few plays away in a tough environment."

The Mountain Lions got as close as three points four different times in the final minutes, but couldn't get any closer.

Huffman led the Nighthawks with 22 points and eight rebounds while Jackson added 15 points. Rachel Harrell and Robertson paced the Mountain Lions with 14 points while Robertson grabbed seven rebounds as YHC held a 36-35 lead on the glass. Kaycee Cash also finished in double figures with 12 points.