YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Isaiah Johnson scored 21 points to lead all five Young Harris College starters in double figures as the Mountain Lions upset No. 22 University of North Carolina at Pembroke 72-67 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball contest Saturday (Feb. 7) afternoon at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Mountain Lions – winners of their last three games – improved to 8-12 overall and 5-9 in the league while the Braves fell to 19-4 and 10-4. Young Harris hits the road Wednesday (Feb. 11) for a 7:30 p.m. contest against Georgia College in Milledgeville, Georgia.

The game saw 10 lead changes and nine tied scores. Young Harris took a six-point lead (58-52) – the largest enjoyed by either team - on a put back by C.J. Wilson with 7:40 to play. UNCP scored the next six points to tie the game at 58 on a three-pointer by Quamain Rose two minutes later.

The game would see saw back and forth until the Mountain Lions took the lead for good on a Herdie Lawrence paint with 1:52 to play. Johnson gave YHC control of the game as stole a pass on UNC Pembroke's next possession and laid the ball up to give the Mountain Lions a 70-67 lead with 47 seconds left. Johnson, who is currently ranked No. 1 in NCAA Division II statistics in steals per game (3.35), had five thefts against the Braves.

"Our defensive effort was tremendous," said Young Harris head coach Pete Herrmann. "Isaiah made a few key plays when we needed it. He makes so many plays for us. Anytime you hold a nationally ranked to team to 35 percent shooting, you earned the win."

The Mountain Lions scored 23 points off 14 UNCP turnovers.

"That was a big key for us in a close game," added Herrmann.

UNCP had two chances to tie the game with three-pointers, but Wilson, who is ranked 15th in the nation in free throw shooting (.897), sank both free throws with 10 seconds left to seal the Mountain Lion victory.

Kevin Altidor added 15 points and nine rebounds for the Mountain Lions while Wilson finished with 12 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Bjorn Walker and Lawrence each finished with 11 points while Walker grabbed seven rebounds.

Brandon Winford led the Braves, who outrebounded the Mountain Lions 56-34 (27-7 on offensive rebounds), with 14 points and 15 rebounds. Ben Jacobs added 12 points and nine rebounds while Griffin Pittman and Rose added 10 points apiece. Rose also grabbed 19 rebounds.