MACON, GA. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team secured a 78-61 victory over Mercer on Saturday afternoon at Hawkins Arena in The Southern Conference (SoCon) action. With the Spartans' 12-4 SoCon record, they are second in the conference.
 
Four Spartans tallied double figures, including Jalen Breath who registered 16 points and 14 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season and seventh of his career. Donovan Atwell paced the Spartans with 17 points, while Kenyon Giles and Demetrius Davis each had 15 points.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first seven minutes of the game were close and at 13:52 Breath drained two free throws to tie the game at 9-9. Mercer went on an 11-0 run for a 20-9 lead with 8:00 left in the half. Atwell scored the next 11 points for UNCG, cutting the deficit to six, 26-20, with 3:23 left on the clock. The Spartans concluded the half with a 6-2 run, but the Bears went into the break with a 29-26 lead over UNCG.
 
The Spartans capitalized on their 41.8 field goal percentage and 46.67 three-point percentage in the second half to come from behind. A 24-6 run from the Spartans to begin the second half, put them up 15, 50-35, with 13:48 on the clock. UNCG climbed to a 22-point advantage following a jumper from Davis at 5:55. Mercer closed the game with a 12-7 run, but it wasn't enough as UNCG earned the 17-point win, 78-61.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Giles was second on the team with eight rebounds.
• Joryam Saizonou chipped in nine points, four rebounds and three assists.
• Breath went 6-for-6 at the free throw line.
• UNCG bested Mercer in field goal percentage (41.8-33.3), three-point percentage (39.3-28.6) and free throw percentage (91.7-52.0).
• The Spartans also had the advantage in points in the paint (28-16), points off turnovers (10-2), second chance points (16-11) and fast break points (15-7).
• Both teams had 42 rebounds.

RECORDS
UNCG: 19-10, 12-4 SoCon
Mercer: 12-17, 5-11 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 conclude the SoCon regular season next week hosting Chattanooga on Thursday, Feb. 27 at the First Horizon Coliseum with a 7:00 p.m. tipoff and then welcome Samford on Saturday, March 1 at Fleming Gymnasium with a start time of 4:00 p.m.
 
Saturday will be the Spartans' senior day, where UNCG will recognize its eight seniors post-game, including Akrum Ahemed, Mailk Henry, Miles Jones, Ronald Polite III, Demetrius Davis, Muon Reath, Joryam Saizonou and Jalen Breath.