The Young Harris College men’s basketball team defeated North Georgia College & State University, 78-68 on Monday at the YHC Basketball Arena.

“The key things we’re going to do all season is defend and rebound,” Young Harris coach Pete Herrmann said. “We held them to 26 percent shooting in the first half and out-rebounded them by five for the game. With our size, that’s a real plus. I thought it was a great team effort.”

O’Neil Lubin paced Young Harris (1-1) with a career-high 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Steve Viterbo had 17 points and seven rebounds, while Frank Adams recorded 13 points and eight boards. Bryson Robertson chipped in with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds as the Mountain Lions were 28-of-54 shooting for 52 percent.

Erekle Jgerenaia and Carl Taylor each had 15 points to lead North Georgia (0-1), while Elijah Smith recorded a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Saints were 27-of-65 from the field for 42 percent.

The Mountain Lions return to action 7:30 p.m. Nov. 29 against Tennessee Wesleyan at the YHC Basketball Arena.

The Saints play host to Hiwassee College at 7 p.m. tonight at Memorial Hall in Dahlonega.

Janyce Ealey scored 21 points to pace the Lady Saints to a 64-39 win over Young Harris Monday night at the YHC Basketball Arena.

“It was tough competition to open up with,” Young Harris head coach Brenda Paul said. “You got a team with playing experience against a team that has none. There were a couple of highlights with how we ran our offense and getting steals off the press. We were out-matched today.”

Ealey was 7-of-9 from the floor and also finished with seven rebounds. Sarah Stinson and Tiffany Marlow each had eight points as North Georgia (2-1) was 24-of-53 from the field for 45 percent.

Nikki Winn led Young Harris with 15 points on 6-of-15 shooting. Miata Askew had 10 points as the Mountain Lions were 16-of-49 from the field for 33 percent.

The Lady Mountain Lions (0-1) take on their second straight Peach Belt Conference member in Georgia Southwestern at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in Americus.

The Lady Saints will play host to Chowan University at 6 p.m. Friday in the North Georgia Tip-Off Classic.