GREENWOOD, S.C. | Justin Jones scored 37 points to lead five Young Harris College players in double figures, but it wasn't enough as Lander University outlasted the Mountain Lions 128-121 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday (Jan. 2) afternoon at the Finis Horne Arena.

Lander improved to 3-8 overall and to 2-3 in the Peach Belt, while the Mountain Lions slipped to 4-7 and 2-3. Young Harris will travel to Florence, South Carolina, Saturday (Jan. 5) for a 3:30 p.m. Peach Belt matinee against Francis Marion University.

The teams combined for 221 points in their first meeting this season last month when the Mountain Lions defeated Lander 118-103 in Young Harris. That had been the previous record for points in a game by YHC during the NCAA era until the rematch. The Mountain Lions also set program best marks for three-pointers made (24) and three-point attempted (48). The previous record of 14 three-pointers made was just set in their last game (Flagler College).

The 37 points posted by Jones on 12-of-22 shooting, including 7-of-14 from long distance, is the fourth most by a Mountain Lion during the NCAA era. The seven three-pointers by Jones tied the record held by Malcolm Jackson set back in 2012 against Piedmont College. Paul Miller added 23 points for Young Harris as he connected on 7-of-13 shooting, including hitting 6-of-10 three-pointers. Seth McCoy, who sank five three-pointers, finished with 15 points, while Ryle Owens added 14 more in his first game in a YHC uniform. Brian Harper recorded a double double with 13 assists and 10 points. The 13 assists are tied for second most in a game during the NCAA era.

The game was one of streaks. Young Harris used a 15-4 run midway through the first half to open up a 33-20 lead after McCoy sank a three-pointer with 9:38 left in the first half. Lander responded with a 21-1 run of its own as they took a 41-34 lead on an old-fashioned three-point play by Justin Holliday with 4:30 remaining.

The Bearcats took a 53-48 lead at the half and expanded their lead to as many as 21 points (101-80) after Sidney Robinson hit a three-pointer with 8:02 to go. However, the Mountain Lions made it a game when they used a 29-10 run over the next six minutes to pull within two points (111-109) on a Miller three-pointer with 2:06 left. Jones, who scored 22 of his points in the second half, had 10 points during the comeback, while Miller tossed in nine. Lander scored the next nine points as they increased its lead to 120-109 after a Ruahu Purdie three-pointer with 47 seconds. The Mountain Lions got as close as five points (126-121) after a Jones three-pointer with eight seconds left. 

Marquel Wiggins led Lander with 30 points. Wiggins was one of eight players to finish in double figures, joining Sidney Robinson (14), Morris Robinson Jr. (14), Jordan Dingle (13), Elijah Alston (13), Holliday (12), Purdie (10) and DeShundre Rucker (10).