ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The University of North Georgia men's basketball team lost a close battle 88-84 on the road against Flagler Saturday afternoon.

With the loss, the Nighthawks fall to 13-8 (5-4 Peach Belt) after dropping three of their last four games. Flagler moves to 11-7 overall and 5-4 in conference play as well.

Despite the loss, UNG's performance was highlighted by  a career game from junior guard AJ White who dropped a career high 34 points in the loss. White's shooting numbers were outstanding as he went 11-of-17 from the floor, 4-of-6 from deep range and a perfect 8-of-8 at the free throw line.

White's 34 points were not only a career high, but they tied the third-most points in a game in the NCAA Division II era (2005) in program history. He added four assists and three steals in the historic performance.

While White went off for one of the best scoring performances in recent memory, only two other Nighthawks scored in double figures against the Saints. Junior guard Cayden Charles scored 10 points while adding five rebounds. Junior forward Chris Cole scored a season-high 11 points as he went a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor and 3-for-4 at the foul line.

Saturday's game was an uncomfortably close battle all game long for both teams.

In the first half, neither team led by more than six points as UNG and Flagler exchanged the lead 14 times. The Saints took a slim 38-35 lead into the locker room.

In the second half, UNG reclaimed the lead quickly, pulling in front 43-42 at the 16:56 mark with a jumper from White. From there, the Nighthawks slowly began to build a lead as the game continued. Eventually UNG led by as many as eight points at 67-59 with 7:11 to play.

Flagler responded with a three-pointer from Jax Bouknight. They then forced a turnover and then converted on an old-fashioned three-point play on the other end of the floor to suddenly make it just a two point contest. 

The Saints snatched the lead back at the 5:45 mark with some free throws from Bouknight. They then went on a run of their own and quickly built a lead yet again. 

After UNG built an eight-point advantage at the 7:11 mark, Flagler answered with a 16-0 run over the course of the next 2:49 to lead by eight itself with 4:22 to go. 

Flagler led by its largest margin of the game at 10 points with 41 seconds left and had nearly sealed the deal on a victory. However, the Nighthawks would not go away quietly. 

White made two free throws before junior center Colin Turner stole the ball, leading to a three-pointer from White on the ensuing possession. In just 20 seconds, UNG had cut a 10-point deficit to just five points. They eventually cut it to four points with eight seconds left after another three from White, but the comeback effort would fall short. 

Now the Nighthawks will look to get back on track at home with a win on Wednesday, Feb. 5 at 5:30 p.m. against Georgia College.