SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team came out on top, 68-66, in a defensive matchup in The Southern Conference (SoCon) play on New Year's Day at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
 
Demetrius Davis and Ronald Polite III paced the Spartans with 16 points each. Kenyon Giles tallied 12 points in the win.
 
With the victory, UNCG handed Wofford its first loss at home after winning four straight games. The Spartans extended their regular season win streak against the Terriers to seven.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Terriers scored the first basket of the game, but the Spartans responded with a three-pointer from Polite III and a layup from Jalen Breath for a 5-2 lead at 17:44 in the first half. Wofford went on a 9-2 run for a 15-12 advantage with 9:05 on the clock, its second lead of the game. Wofford scored eight-straight points in the last two minutes and went to the locker room with a seven-point lead, 28-21. In the first half, Wofford outshot UNCG in field goal percentage, 44.0-29.0, three-point percentage, 33.0-25.0, and free throw percentage, 100- 56.0.
 
Wofford drained a three-pointer and two free throws out of the break for a double-digit lead, 33-21. UNCG then clawed its way out of the deficit with a 22-5 run that was capped by an and-one play by Akrum Ahemed for a five-point lead, 43-38. Wofford tied the game at 45-45 and took the lead with a free throw before a never-ending back-and-forth battle. With 7:12 left in the second half, Giles scored 10 straight points for the Spartans en route to a two-point lead, 61-59, with 3:08 remaining. Both teams would score seven points in the time left, but Polite III's three-pointer with 10 seconds left put UNCG over the edge for a 68-66 win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS

• Donovan Atwell had a team-high seven rebounds.
• Polite III went a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the arc.
• Giles and Malik Henry each contributed four rebounds.
• The Terriers outmatched the Spartans in field goal percentage, 44.4-38.6, and three-point percentage, 39.1-37.5, while UNCG had the advantage in free throw percentage, 75.0-64.3.
• UNCG outscored Wofford in points off turnovers, 16-2.
• The Terriers led in points in the paint, 30-22, second chance points, 17-9, and bench points, 12-11.
• There were six tied scores and 17 lead chances.
• UNCG forced 17 turnovers and only made three of its own.

 
RECORDS
UNCG: 8-6, 1-0 SoCon
Wofford: 6-8, 0-1 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
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UP NEXT
UNCG continues SoCon play on Saturday, Jan. 4 hosting Furman with a 4:00 p.m. start time at the First Horizon Coliseum. Cheer kids: Kids receive free admission with the purchase of an adult ticket!
 
Holiday offer! Purchase tickets for 50-percent for select UNCG basketball home games as part of a holiday special. Purchasers have the option to add-on special gift items including Spiro plush toy and UNCG Spartan holiday ornament while supplies last! Click here to learn more.