YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. | Zezmon Steeple and K.J. Jenkins combined for 48 points as the University of North Georgia held off Young Harris College 89-88 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game between Blood Mountain rivals Wednesday (Jan. 29) evening at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Nighthawks improved to 10-9 overall and to 5-6 in the Peach Belt, while the Mountain Lions fell to 5-14 and 3-8. Young Harris returns to action Saturday (Feb. 1) when they travel to Greenwood, South Carolina, for a 3:30 p.m. PBC contest against Lander University.

Young Harris, which led for over 28 minutes, took its largest lead - nine points (42-33) - after a Jacorie Archie putback with 17:30 left in the game as the Mountain Lions started the second half with a six unanswered points. North Georgia battled back to take its first lead since midway through the first half when Brown connected on a layup with 6:40 to play to give the Nighthawks a 68-66 lead.

Brian Harper hit two free throws to tie the game at 70 less than a minute later, but the Nighthawks used a 13-4 run over the next four minutes to open up an 83-74 lead on a Josh Cottrell three-pointer from the left corner. Young Harris got within three points (85-82) after Seth McCoy sank a three-pointer with 53 seconds to play. After two Ephraim Tshimanga free throws, the Mountain Lions pulled to within two points (87-85) after Harper nailed a three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left. Steeple sank two free throws to push the lead to four points (89-85) before McCoy hit a long three-pointer at the buzzer.

Steeple finished with 26 points for North Georgia, while Jenkins tallied 22 points. Tshimanga added 11 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Harper and Ryle Owens led the Mountain Lions 17 points each, while Harper dished out nine assists. Archie tallied 12 points, while Paul Miller, Jonathan King and McCoy had nine points each. King and Miller each grabbed a team-high six rebounds.