The North Georgia College & State University men’s basketball team improved their postseason hopes by taking down Clayton State for the second time this season, 74-62, Saturday evening in Dahlonega.

North Georgia (9-15, 4-9 Peach Belt Conference) was three games back of the fourth spot in the PBC West Division entering the day.

The Saints dropped that number to just two after knocking off the Lakers for the second time this season.

The Saints now hold the tiebreaker over Clayton State, an advantage for coach Chris Faulkner’s team down the stretch of this season.

The game was back and forth most of the way, until the Saints made a run with stellar defense and quality possessions down the stretch to seal the win.

The Saints won just their second game in their last 12, but still have a chance at the Peach Belt Conference Tournament in Columbus.

CLAYTON STATE WOMEN 65, NORTH GEORGIA 59: The Lady Saints (11-11, 5-8 Peach Belt Conference) suffered their second straight home conference loss, while the No. 4 ranked Lakers (22-2, 12-1) won their fourth straight Peach belt Conference game. The Lady Saints jumped out to an early 9-4 lead through the first five and a half minutes of the game.

Throughout much of the opening half the Lady Saints handled the full court pressure of the Lakers quite well.

Over the next five minutes Clayton State clawed their way back into the game thanks to senior Tanisha Woodard, who provided a spark with her stout defense.

The Lady Saints would respond strong and with just under nine minutes to play, sophomore Jaymee Carnes (23 points, 11 rebounds) knocked down a jumper to give North Georgia the 17-15 lead.

It would prove to be the last lead they would hold all afternoon as the Lakers responded as they have done all year.