DAHLONEGA -- No. 9 University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball junior guard Cayden Charles has been named as the Chick-fil-A Nighthawk of the Week for the second time in his career after an impressive performance in Gaffney, S.C. this past weekend.

In the Southeast Region Crossover, Charles torched the competition in both games, helping the ninth ranked Nighthawks go 2-0 on the weekend and move to 4-0 for just the third time in the NCAA Division II era (2005) in program history.

On Friday against host Limestone in the UNG's first true road game of the year, Charles dropped 17 points by going 4-for-8 from the floor and 9-for-12 at the free throw line. He added five rebounds and two steals in a comeback win.

Less than 24 hours later against Young Harris, Charles exploded for a career-high 34 points on 10-of-13 shooting while going 11-for-14 from the stripe. He poked one of UNG's three steals in the final two minutes to get past the Mountain Lions in a close 84-81 win. Charles' 34 points are tied for the third most in a game in the Division II era in program history. He's reached double figures in all four games this season and is currently averaging 22.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 61.4 percent from the floor. Of the players nationally who have attempted 40 or more field goals this season, Charles' 61.4 percent mark ranks second across the country. 

Charles and the Nighthawks are in the midst of preparing for the 2024-25 home opener tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 12. At Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center, UNG will face Tusculum at 7 p.m. in its first game back at home since the Southeast Regional Championship last season. 

The Nighthawk of the Week title sponsor is Chick-fil-A of Dahlonega, with each week's winner being treated to a complimentary combo meal at the Dahlonega restaurant. Located at 488 Morrison Moore Parkway East, Chick-fil-A loves to give back to the local area and is proud to be a community partner with UNG Athletics.

Beginning in the fall of 2014, the UNG athletic department began honoring one student-athlete each Monday morning as the Nighthawk of the Week. The award is chosen each Sunday evening by an award selection committee made up of members of the UNG athletics administrative staff.