DAHLONEGA – The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team celebrated Senior Day at Lynn Cottrell Arena at the UNG Convocation Center with a 56-53 win over Clayton State (CSU) in the regular season finale Saturday.

The Nighthawks (17-13, 9-9 Peach Belt) finished the season in a tie for fifth place in the Peach Belt Conference with the win over the Lakers (7-21, 1-17 Peach Belt). 

North Georgia celebrated seniors Sutton Smith and Hunter Shedenhelm before the game Saturday. Fittingly, the two veterans played well and helped UNG to a close win over the Lakers.

Shedenhelm was UNG's second-leading scorer as he knocked down three triples for nine points while grabbing five rebounds and a block. 

Smith posted six points as the Nighthawks' third-highest scorer while adding two rebounds, a team-high four assists and a steal. Neither senior turned the ball over on Saturday. 

Junior center Colin Turner led the way for UNG as he dropped a game-high 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting. He added a team-high seven rebounds, while also dishing two assists and blocking one shot.

The Nighthawks started the game on a 10-2 run in the opening minutes as Shedenhelm drilled two of his three triples in the first three minutes, one of which was roughly 35-feet from the basket.

UNG grew its lead to as many as 16 points in the first half on another deep range three from Shedenhelm to make it 33-17 with 5:53 to go in the half.

CSU hung around to close the half down 11 points. The Lakers continued their hot shooting into the second half, opening on a 17-5 run to take its first lead of the game at 45-44 with 12:04 to play.

UNG retook the lead as Turner scored seven straight points for the Nighthawks. His final two free throws in the run gave the Nighthawks a 54-48 lead with five minutes remaining.

However, three free throws and a layup from CSU over the next three minutes pulled the Lakers within one point at 54-53 with 2:05 left on the clock.

With under a minute to play, junior guard AJ White had a chance to seal the game with a three-pointer but his shot missed, giving the Lakers a chance to take the lead with 40 seconds to go as they called timeout. 

On the ensuing play, the Nighthawks buckled down for a stellar defensive stand to force a contested jump shot from guard Aaron Pitts. The fadeaway jumper missed and sophomore forward Stephen Akwiwu pulled down the rebound. Akwiwu gave the ball up to Smith who raced up the floor and turned his attention towards White. The senior guard knew UNG could win the game by getting the ball to one of the best free throw shooters in the country.

Smith handed the ball off to White just inside half court and the Memphis, Tenn. native was promptly intentionally fouled. 

White, an 89.8 percent free throw shooter which leads the conference and ranked No. 15 nationally entering Saturday, knocked down both free throws to put UNG ahead 56-53. 

Another great defensive stop forced guard DJ Wright to take a contested, step-back three pointer that came woefully short, leading to a Nighthawk celebration. 

Tied with Lander and Flagler for fifth place in the conference, UNG awaits the final PBC game between Georgia College and Columbus State on Sunday, Mar. 2 to finalize the conference standings and learn where it will be heading for the quarterfinals of PBC Men's Basketball Tournament.