DAHLONEGA, Ga. - A furious second-half rally came up short for the Georgia Southwestern Hurricanes as they fell to the North Georgia Saints, 78-73, Thursday evening in Memorial Hall Gymnasium.

Behind 13 first-half points from reserve junior forward Scott Windom, North Georgia shot 51.6 percent (16-of-31) and held GSW to just nine field goals as they built a comfortable 48-27 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, the Hurricanes rallied behind the tenacious front line trio of Milos Kleut, Matt Shaw, and Daryl Davis. The trio accounted for 40 of the 46 second-half Hurricane points as Southwestern shot a blistering 60.9 percent (14-of-23) from the field.

Two Matt Shaw free throws got the Hurricanes, once down 27 points, to within just four with a minute remaining.

A tip-in off a missed three point basket by Robby Goldsmith and a layup by Saint forward Ishmael Hollis proved to be all North Georgia needed to hold on to a 78-73 victory.

The loss drops GSW to 7-10, 3-7 in the Peach Belt Conference, while North Georgia improves to 11-6, 6-3 PBC.

Three Hurricanes finished in double figures on the night.

Shaw led GSW with 19 points, 13 of which came in the second half, and three rebounds while Milos Kleut chipped in 17 points for the Blue & Gold. Daryl Davis used a productive second half to finish with 16 points.

Forward Alan Arnett finished with a near double-double as the junior reserve ripped down 10 rebounds to go along with nine points for the Hurricanes.

Wisdom led North Georgia with 18 points and three rebounds while Hollis chipped in 15 for the Saints.

Next up, Georgia Southwestern travels to Columbus State Saturday afternoon for the last stop on their four game road stretch. The tip-off is set for 3:30 p.m.