GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team claimed a 74-70 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday at the First Horizon Coliseum in The Southern Conference (SoCon) action.
 
With the Spartans win and ETSU beating Samford, there is a three-way tie for first place. Samford, Chattanooga and UNCG are all 9-3 in the SoCon.
 
Three Spartans tallied double figure points. Ronald Polite III paced the game with 18 points, while Donovan Atwell had 12 points and Demetrius Davis had 10 points. Jalen Breath registered 11 rebounds.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Davis scored the first basket of the game, but the Catamounts responded with a 10-3 run, for a 10-5 advantage. UNCG went on an 8-0 run that put them up three, 13-10. A three-pointer from Davis gave the Spartans a six-point cushion, 18-12, before the Catamounts responded with seven-straight points to regain the lead, 19-18. The score was tied twice before UNCG took over the control and kept the lead for the rest of the game. The Spartans went to the locker room with a three-point gap, 29-26.
 
An 8-0 run at the start of the second half, gave UNCG its first double-figure lead, 37-26. With 15:35 on the clock, Akrum Ahemed drained a three-pointer to put the Blue & Gold up 13, 44-31, for their largest lead of the game. Western Carolina cut the deficit to two twice in the remaining time, including with 11 seconds left on a free throw, 72-70. Polite III made two free throws in the final nine seconds and the Catamounts missed a three-pointer to give UNCG a 74-70 victory.

 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Polite III also paced the game with seven rebounds.
• Joryam Saizonou, Jalen Breath and Akrum Ahemed each had eight points.
• Malik Henry chipped in six points, six rebounds and three blocks.
• The Spartans had the advantage in field goal percentage (44.1-37.1).
• The Catamounts outmatched UNCG in three-point percentage (37.5-29.2) and free throw percentage (92.3-75.0).

RECORDS
UNCG: 16-9, 9-3 SoCon
WCU: 6-17, 2-10 SoCon
 
TICKETS
To secure your tickets for UNCG men's basketball home games click HERE for options including single games and group discounts, flex plans, and full season ticket options.  The home basketball schedule includes eight (8) home games at First Horizon Coliseum and Six (6) home games at Fleming Gymnasium. To learn more about upcoming ticket promotions or to purchase over the phone call the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250. 
 
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
 
UP NEXT.
The Spartans will split time at home and on the road next week in their next two SoCon battles. UNCG will host VMI on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 7:00 p.m. at the First Horizon Coliseum.
 
The Spartans then travel to Greenville, South Carolina, to face Furman at 2:00 p.m. at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Saturday, Feb. 15.