SAVANNAH, Ga. – A cold start once again doomed the UNCP men's basketball squad in Peach Belt Conference action on Saturday as the Braves were limited to just 22 first half points in falling to the host Armstrong Atlantic Pirates by a 67-65 final at Alumni Arena in Savannah, Ga.

The Braves (11-6, 4-5 PBC) were just 9-of-27 (33.3 percent) from the field in the first half and just 2-of-8 from downtown and 2-of-5 from the free throw line in being limited to just 22 points in the first stanza. The Pirates (11-5, 5-3 PBC) were 11-of-27 (40.0 percent) and 4-of-10 from 3-point land in grabbing a five point lead at halftime.

The Braves once again won the rebounding battle (38-33), but 24 turnovers proved costly to a Braves' squad that has struggled with giveaways all season long.

The Braves pulled back to within one point during the last minute after being down five, and had chances to tie or win at the end of regulation, but they're attempts missed the mark, leaving them with their third-consecutive loss.

Sophomore Shahmel Brackett led all scorers with 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field, including 6-of-9 from long range to finish two points of his career high. He added seven rebounds and three steals in his highest scoring output of the season.

Senior Chris Hargrove followed with 13 points on 3-of-7 shooting from the floor and did most of his damage at the free throw line after going 7-of-8 from the charity stripe.

Sophomore George Blakeney and junior Nathan Priest each added 10 points in the loss.

The Braves return to action on Friday, Jan. 28, when they host the Montevallo Falcons at the English E. Jones Center in Pembroke.