PEMBROKE – The 25^th-ranked UNC Pembroke men's basketball team scored 45 points in the paint and led for more than 37 minutes on the way to a convincing 86-77 victory over visiting North Georgia in a battle of the Peach Belt Conference's top scoring defenses on Saturday afternoon at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court.
 
The result marked the 14^th-straight home win for the Braves (9-1, 4-0 PBC) who have now captured 22 of their last 23 outings in their home arena. The Nighthawks (6-4, 1-3) have now dropped nine of the last 10 in the series with the Black & Gold, and have not tasted victory in Pembroke since the 2009-10 campaign.
 

THE BASICS

SCORE: UNC Pembroke 86, North Georgia 77 RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 9-1, 4-0 PBC; North Georgia 6-4, 1-3 PBC LOCATION: Pembroke, N.C. (Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court)

HOW IT HAPPENED

1ST HALF

North Georgia grabbed a 9-7 advantage on two free throws from Shawn Hopkins just 3-1/2 minutes into the contest, but that would be the last time the visitors were on top. The Braves used a 7-0 scoring spurt over the next two minutes to put some distance between themselves and their PBC foes, and Carson Mounce's running jumper at the 12:49 mark sparked the hosts on a 12-2 run that eventually gave UNCP an 11-point advantage, 28-17, with just more than nine minutes left before the break.

2ND HALF

The Braves shot 41 percent from the field in the second half and led by as many as 19 points, 68-49, following a layup from James Murray-Boyles at the 8:49 mark. The Nighthawks scored eight-straight points to whittle their deficit down to just seven, 74-67, with four minutes to play, but the Braves answered with points on their next three possessions to pad their lead back out to double-digits and all but seal the outcome.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

+ Senior James Murray-Boyles scored 11 of his game-high 17 points in the first half, while also cashing in on his fourth career double-double with 10 rebounds as well. He also recorded four assists and a pair of steals. + Redshirt freshman Cam Hamilton came off the bench to register a game-best 17 points as well in 17 minutes of playing time. He also matched career-high with five 3-pointers (10 attempts). + Junior Akia Pruitt scored 13 points and added 10 boards to register his 14th career double-double. + Sophomore Micah Kinsey tallied six assists and a career-high six steals, while also adding five points as well.

NOTABLES

+ Saturday's result marked the 14th-straight home victory for UNCP. The Braves have not dropped a game in Pembroke since a 70-67 setback to Columbus State on Dec. 17, 2017. + The Black & Gold has now won nine of the last 10 matchups in the series with North Georgia, and Saturday's victory marked its seventh-straight triumph over the Nighthawks. The Braves have won six-straight series matchups at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. + UNCP has out-rebounded eight of its 10 opponents this season, including a 48-41 edge against the Nighthawks on Saturday.

UP NEXT

The Braves will close out a short two-game home stand when they suit up to battle Lander (4-8, 3-3 PBC) in the back half of a 5:30 p.m. Social Media Night doubleheader on Tuesday at Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. The Bearcats have won two-straight league contests, including a 128-121 regulation victory over Young Harris on Wednesday at home - the highest-scoring contest in league history.

STAY CONNECTED

Follow UNCP Men's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" UNCP Men's Basketball on Facebook.

JOIN THE BRAVES CLUB

Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Men's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.