UNG reaches NCAA regional championship

The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team is one win away from advancing to the eight-team NCAA Division II championship in Evansville, Indiana, next week. For the top-seeded Nighthawks, it comes down to a 7 p.m. March 19 NCAA Southeast Regional championship game against No. 6 seed and Peach Belt Conference (PBC) rival Lander University in Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center. 

"It is a joy to be able to play in front of our home fans in each of these games. The energy and enthusiasm they bring make a real difference. Our students and pep band have been tremendous. They are critical to the feel of the arena and have a massive positive impact on our guys," head coach Dan Evans said. "The Convocation Center is a fun atmosphere and is a great place to be for everyone on Tuesday at 7 p.m. We hope our Dahlonega and university communities will continue supporting the program. It is appreciated." 

Tickets are available at the NCAA Southeast Regional website. 

Buoyed by a strong home crowd, UNG stormed past fifth-seeded Catawba College, 86-70, in the March 17 Southeast Regional semifinals and pushed its record to 27-6. The triumph came one night after the Nighthawks opened the NCAA tournament with an 89-80 victory against eighth-seeded Wingate. 

Evans' team continues to pile up unprecedented results as it advances. A year after earning the first NCAA tournament appearance in program history, his group has won its first PBC tournament championship and has surpassed the previous single-season high of 23 wins.  

"Our guys have done a great job of defending and rebounding at a high level. This time of year, those two factors play large roles and serve to stabilize during the ups and downs of each game," Evans said. "We have done a good job of being consistent in our overall execution. Staying focused on trying to make the right play on every possession has been important for our success. We are hoping to remain committed to the right approach as we enter the regional final on Tuesday." 

Sophomore and point guard A.J. White tallied 22 points, five assists and two steals against Catawba, also going 6-for-6 on free throws. Fellow sophomore guard Cayden Charles poured in a career-high 22 points and seven rebounds, while making 5-of-7 free throws. Junior forward Giancarlo Bastianoni had 16 points and seven rebounds, with junior forward Frank Champion pitching in 13 points and a game-high six assists. Junior forward Greg Billups Jr. played through pain and had seven rebounds and five assists. 

"I want to do what I can to help my team while I'm out there. That's the only way I can do it," said Billups, Jr. "We're making a great run right now and I want to be a part of it as much as I can. I have that in the back of my head, and I just keep it pushing." 

Lander defeated seventh-seeded Emmanuel University in the other semifinal matchup. The Bearcats took down the Lions 86-78 in overtime March 17.