GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team claimed a 62-54 victory over USC Upstate on Saturday in Fleming Gym.
 
The last time the Spartans started the season off 2-0 was in the 2017-18 season when the team earned wins of Southern Wesleyan (93-65) and Greensboro College (82-34).
 
Makiah Asidanya led both teams with her second-consecutive game recording 18 points, going 3-for-4 from behind-the-arc, 3-for-3 from the charity stripe and 6-for-9 at the field.

HOW IT HAPPENED
A jumper from Jaila Lee, following a layup from Khalis Cain, put UNCG up 4-0 to start Saturday's battle of the Spartans. USC Upstate responded with two consecutive three-pointers to take the 6-4 lead. However, the Blue & Gold came back with an 8-0 run to take the 12-6 advantage. USC Upstate concluded the first quarter with three points, but UNCG was able to hold the 12-10 margin at the end of the frame.
 
A layup from Nia Howard started the second quarter for UNCG to take the 14-10 lead, but USC Upstate bounced back for an 8-1 run to make the score 18-15, in its favor. The remainder of the first half would go back-and-forth, but with the game tied at 30 and eight seconds remaining on the scoreboard, Asidanya secured a three-point play to give UNCG the 33-30 lead at the break.
 
The Blue & Gold found its stride in the second half, outscoring USC Upstate, 21-12 in the third quarter. The squad posted their best scoring run of the game with nine unanswered points to close out the third frame on top, 54-42. 
 
UNCG took its biggest lead of the game with in the fourth quarter with a 13-point advantage at 6:30 (59-46) concluded by a driving layup from Jayde Gamble. USC Upstate responded back with a 6-0 run to make it a seven-point game (59-52). However, UNCG was able to outlast USC Upstate to walk away with the 62-54 win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Lee followed closely behind Asidanya with 12 points and led the game with three steals.
• Four different Spartans recorded four rebounds apiece.
• Cain led UNCG with four offensive boards.
• Gamble paced the team with four dimes and one block.
• UNCG led the game across five statistical categories: points in the paint (36-26), points off turnovers (17-11), second-chance points (13-5), fast-break points (11-2) and bench points (25-15).   

RECORDS
UNCG: 2-0
USC Upstate: 0-2
 
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UNCG Women's Basketball Ticket Information 
To secure your tickets for UNCG women's basketball home games click HERE for options including single games, group discounts and full season ticket options.  All 14 home games will be played on campus in Fleming Gymnasium.  UNCG faculty/staff and students are free with their ID. 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 will hit the road for the first time this season to face Coastal Carolina on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 6:00 p.m. in Conway, South Carolina.