Box Score
Luke Boythe added 12 points for the Spartans |
Georgia Southern shot a sizzling 55.6% from the field en route to a hard fought 83-78 victory over UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium. The Eagles' shooting helped them overcome a career-high 33 points from UNCG's junior sharp shooter Jay Joseph.
With the victory, Georgia Southern improves to 10-5 overall and 3-1 in Southern Conference play. UNCG slips to 4-12 on the season and 1-4 in league play.
Jay Joseph's layup to open the game was just a glimpse of things to come. After trailing 2-0, Georgia Southern's all-conference performer Julius Jenkins nailed a 3-pointer that gave the Eagles a lead they would not surrender. The Eagles pushed their lead to 11 at the intermission, 40-29, for their largest lead of the half.
In the second half of play, UNCG came out and outscored the Georgia Southern, 16-6, to pull within one point, 46-45, at the 16:22 mark. Georgia Southern would once again rally and pull ahead by as many as 13, 71-58, with just 5:03 remaining in regulation. Just when it looked as if the Eagles would cruise home to the victory, the Spartans' Joseph connected on back-to-back 3-pointers in a six-second span to pull UNCG within five points, 78-75, with just 1:06 left. Clutch free throw shooting helped Georgia Southern hold on to their lead and stave off the Spartans' rally.
Julius Jenkins scored a team-high 19 points to lead five Eagles' in double-figures. Frank Bennett scored 18 points and reigning SoCon Player of the Week Jean Francois added 15 points and nine rebounds. Terry Williams scored 12 points, while Kordel Gibson chipped in with 11 points.
After Jay Joseph's career-high 33 points on seven 3-pointers, Luke Boythe scored 12 points. James Maye added 10 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
The loss is just UNCG's third in the last three seasons in Fleming Gymnasium (24-3). Georgia Southern is responsible for two of the Spartans' losses in that span.
UNCG will step out of conference action on Wednesday, January 22, at home against Guilford College. Tip-off is slated for 7 pm. Georgia Southern will take to the hardwood again on Tuesday, January 21, at home against The Citadel.
UNCG Single-Game Scoring Leaders
1. Chuck Fortney, 46 vs. Navy (3/2/92)
2. James Maye, 35 vs. ETSU (1/14/02)
3. Jay Joseph, 33 vs. Georgia Southern (1/18/03)
UNCG Single-Game 3-Point Leaders
1. Scott Hartzell, 8 vs. Winthrop (2/13/95)
2. Jay Joseph, 7 vs. Georgia Southern (1/18/03)
James Maye, 7 vs. Chattanooga (1/2/02)
Scott Hartzell, 7 vs. two opponents
