YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Young Harris College's comeback against Georgia Southwestern State University fell short as the Hurricanes held on for a 73-71 Peach Belt Conference men's basketball victory to spoil homecoming for the Mountain Lions Saturday (Feb. 9) afternoon at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Hurricanes improved to 3-18 overall anf to 1-14 in the Peach Belt, while the Mountain Lions fell to 10-12 and 8-8. Young Harris returns to action Wednesday (Feb. 13) when they travel to Dahlonega, Georgia, for a 7:30 p.m. PBC contest against cross-mountain rival University of North Georgia.

 Georgia Southwestern shot 56 percent (14-of-25) from the field in the opening half, while the Mountain Lions shot 38.5 percent (10-of-26). The Hurricanes used a 19-1 run midway through the first half to open up a 21-point lead (37-16) after R.J. Sessions hit a three-pointer with 4:10 left before the half. 

Young Harris closed the first half with a 13-3 run to get within 11 points (40-29) at the half. Georgia Southwestern hit back-to-back three-pointers to start the second half to push its lead back to 17 (46-29), but Young Harris put together a 19-5 run over the next five minutes to get within three points (51-48) after Seth McCoy sank a three-pointer. McCoy converted all five three-pointers he took against Georgia Southwestern.

A three-pointer from Ryle Owens tied the game at 53 with 11:04 to play for the Mountain Lions. Young Harris took its first lead since the opening minute of the game at 65-64 when Justin Jones hit a jumper with 4:39 to play. However, the Hurricanes scored the next six points to take 70-65 lead with 2:21 to go. An Owens layup and two McCoy free throws got it within a point (70-69) with 83 seconds left, but the Mountain Lions couldn't get any closer.

Andre Statam and Sessions led Georgia Southwestern with 17 points each, while Quenten Taylor added 13 points and eight assists. Devin Watson added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Sessions tallied eight rebounds.

Jones and McCoy each finished with 18 points for Young Harris, while Brian Harper (12) and Owens (10) each finished in double figures. Paul Miller led the Mountain Lions with seven rebounds.