The North Greenville Crusaders began their 2021-22 season with a 87-79 loss to the Nighthawks of the University of North Georgia in the Tri-Conference Challenge in Milledgeville, Georgia. NGU led in points off turnovers, points in the paint, and fast break points. However, UNG would get more help from their bench as they would score 46 points from non-starters. Both teams shot well with the Crusaders shooting 45.3% and North Georgia shooting 50.0%.
Results
- Score: NGU 79 / UNG 87
- Location: Centennial Center / Milledgeville, GA
- Records: NGU 0-1 / UNG 1-0
Recap
- Caleb Williams would get NGU on the board first with a jumper. The Crusaders would take an early 4-3 lead, but would go cold from there, which would allow North Georgia to jump out to a 21-8 lead. UNG would hang on to a double digit lead until a three pointer by Jacob Redding cut the deficit back down to single digits. North Greenville would pull back by as few as five points, and would end up going into halftime down by six.
- NGU would again score the first points of the half, with a three pointer by Mason Zick cutting the deficit down to three. The Nighthawks would take the momentum back, opening the lead back to double digits. With four minutes remaining and down by eleven, Joe Conley, Mason Zick, and Jacob Redding would all score three pointers in a two minute span to pull within two points. However, UNG would score the next eight to jump back out to a double digit lead once again. Two free throws by Jacob Redding in the final minute would be the final points of the game as the Crusaders would fall short by eight points.
Individual
- Joe Conley began his season with a double-double, scoring fourteen points and providing ten rebounds.
- Jacob Redding led with nineteen points.
- Mason Zick also hit double digits with twelve points. He also posted seven rebounds.
Upcoming
- North Greenville will return to action tomorrow in Milledgeville against the Saints of Limestone University.
