DAHLONEGA, Ga. | Brian Harper scored 17 of his game-high 28 points in the first half as Young Harris College defeated its Blood Mountain rival University of North Georgia 77-65 in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Wednesday (Feb. 26) evening at the UNG Convocation Center.

The Mountain Lions improved to 8-19 overall and to 6-13 in the PBC, while the Nighthawks sank to 13-14 and 8-11. Young Harris closes out its season Saturday (Feb. 29) when they host Columbus State University in a 3:30 p.m. PBC game at the YHC Basketball Arena. The Mountain Lions will honor their three seniors - Harper, Paul Miller and Ryle Owens - prior to the game.

Young Harris used a 27-4 run - including 15 unanswered points - midway through the first half to put the game away early, The run turned a 13-10 advantage with 12:36 left in the first half into a 40-14 lead after Nate Louis sank two free throws with 4:41 to go. Louis had seven points during the run, while Harper added six more. Young Harris hit 8-of-12 shots from the field during the decisive run, including a perfect 5-of-5 from long distance while forcing four UNG turnovers. 

The Mountain Lions, which led 46-25 at the half, shot 56.7 percent from the floor in the opening 20 minutes, while the Nighthawks were limited to 31.0 percent (9-of-29).

The closest UNG would get the rest of the way was eight points (73-65) with 70 seconds left. 

Young Harris nearly had a 2-to-1 advantage on the glass as the Mountain Lions held a 47-26 edge in rebounding, including a 10-2 mark on the offensive boards. Young Harris held a 15-3 margin in second-chance points.

Harper added five assists. Jacorie Archie posted 13 points and five rebound, while Brian Free added 12 points. Louis tallied 11 points and eight rebounds, while Kristian Collins had seven rebounds and Owens added six more.

Zezmon Steeple led UNG with 13 points, while four other players scored 12 each.