DAHLONEGA, Ga. –
Jaylen Lemons poured in 25 points and his three-pointer as time expired in regulation forced overtime, but Flagler College fell short 86-85 in the Peach Belt Conference opener at the University of North Georgia Saturday afternoon at the UNG Convocation Center.
North Georgia improved to 6-1 overall while Flagler is now 5-5. It was the PBC opener for both teams.
After AJ White made a pair of free throws to put the Nighthawks up by three (76-73) with six seconds left, UNG chose not to foul, and
Spencer Bain found Lemons open in front of the Flagler bench and he sank the shot as the final horn sounded.
Giancarlo Bastianoni scored the first four points in overtime for North Georgia, but Flagler rallied to take the lead when
Chase Fiddler intercepted a pass while UNG was in the backcourt and drove the lane for a layup to give the Saints an 85-84 lead with 13 seconds left.
Frank Champion was fouled six seconds later and made both attempts to give the lead back to North Georgia.
The Saints had a chance to win the game at the buzzer, but the shot rimmed out.
Lemons made 8-of-his-11 shots from the field, including 7-of-10 from three-point range, which is the most treys made in a game by a Flagler player this season.
Kyle Young recorded his fourth double-double in a row with 12 points and he grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds.
Malik Bryant added 16 points and Fiddler finished with 10 points and four assists.
Flagler shot 50 percent from long range with 16 made three-pointers.
Bastianoni scored a game-high 29 points coming off the bench for North Georgia. Champion added 18 points, seven rebounds and five steals while White contributed 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.
North Georgia sank 19-of-25 free throw attempts and forced 26 Flagler turnovers.
Flagler heads north to face Young Harris College on Monday at 11 a.m.
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