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YOUNG HARRIS, Ga.  |  Six Mountain Lions scored in double digits as Young Harris College easily defeated Columbus State University 102-65 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday (Jan. 20) afternoon at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Mountain Lions improved to 5-12 overall and 4-7 in the PBC while the Cougars fell to 4-9 and 4-6. Young Harris returns to action Wednesday (Jan. 24) as they travel to Milledgeville, Georgia, to take on Georgia College in a 7:30 p.m. Peach Belt contest. 

J.B. Charles scored 13 of the first 18 points for the Mountain Lions as he was perfect on his first five shots - three three-pointers and two layups. After a short burst from Columbus State, Ben Waterhouse gave Young Harris the lead (25-23) off a three-pointer with 7:08 to play in the first half. The Mountain Lions ended the half on a 20-8 run to give them a 45-31 lead at halftime. Antonio Wade, Waterhouse and Nicksen Blanc each scored five points during the decisive run. Young Harris shot 54.5 percent (18-of-33) from the floor in the first half, while the Cougars shot 38.2 percent (13-of-34).

"It was a great defensive effort, " said YHC head coach Pete Herrmann. "We finally dominated on the glass (+16). We stayed consistent on defense the entire game, led by Ben Waterhouse."
 
The Mountain Lions never looked back in the second half, as they jumped out to a 20-point lead (61-41) with 16:05 remaining in the game on a Waterhouse three-pointer. Blanc scored 11 of his 18 points in the second half. Young Harris got up by as much as 40 after a pair of free throws by Greg Murphy at the 2:38 mark (98-58). 

"NIck was a horse inside for us and we were able to keep our turnovers to single digits," added Herrmann. "Corey had a couple of highlights and we had six guys in double figures and everyone contributed in the win."

Charles finished the Mountain Lions with 19 points and eight rebounds. Blanc had a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Waterhouse finished with 15 points and seven rebounds, Corey Nelson had 14 points and six rebounds, Wade tallied 13 points and five assists, while Demari Edwards added 10 points.

Cam Paulding and John Lambert each scored 10 points for Columbus State, while Marcus Dixon scored six points and had seven rebounds.