GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team secured a 73-64 victory over FGCU on Monday night at the First Horizon Coliseum to begin the 2024-25 season.
 
Four Spartans recorded double figures, including Jalen Breath with his first double-double of the season (11pts, 10 reb) and third of his career. Donovan Atwell and Kenyon Giles led the charge with 17 points apiece, while Ronald Polite III chipped in 10 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
FGCU began the game with a three-pointer from Dallion Johnson at 19:21. UNCG clawed its way on top after two three-pointers from Atwell and one from Joryam Saizonou to take a 9-7 advantage. The Eagles came within two, 10-12, on Zavian McLean's three-pointer at 14:11, but the Spartans utilized a 13-5 run for their first double-digit advantage of the night, 25-15. UNCG's Giles drained the team's 10th three-pointer of the first half with 54-seconds remaining to give the Spartans their largest lead of the game, a 17-point advantage, 44-27. FGCU responded with its own three-pointer with 37 seconds left for a 14-point deficit at the half, 44-30.
 
The Spartans remained on top with a double-digit advantage until 14:16 in the second half when the Eagles closed the gap to nine, 49-40. FGCU tied the game twice, once at 4:31 and again at 3:54 making it 59-all. UNCG responded with an 11-0 run, putting the Blue & Gold up 11, 70-59, with 39-seconds remaining. Following a three-pointer from Johnson, 70-62, both teams shot free throws the rest of the way, as UNCG walked away with the home-opening victory, 73-64.

BY THE NUMBERS

• This was Breath's third game of his career with a double-double.
• Breath's 10 rebounds were a game-high and he went a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.
• Atwell and Giles led the game with 17 points each.
• Demetrius Davis contributed six points and nine rebounds. His nine rebounds are a new career-high.
• UNCG outmatched FGCU 30-14 in points from the bench, fast-break points (13-2), points off turnovers (9-8) and second-chance points (10-8).
• The Spartans shot 52.63-percent (10-for-19) from behind the arc during the first half.

RECORDS
UNCG: 1-0
FGCU: 0-1
 
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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. 
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans follow this game with their first away game of the season. UNCG will travel to Dallas, Texas to face ACC foe SMU at Moody Coliseum on Monday, Nov. 11 at 7:00 p.m. CT/8:00 p.m. ET.