Box Score
Jelani Lawrence scored 12 points and had seven rebounds for the Spartans |
Greensboro, NC - Jay Joseph scored a season-high 24 points to the lead the UNC Greensboro men's basketball team to a 67-53 victory over Elon Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gymnasium. With the win, UNCG improves to 7-13 on the season and 4-6 in Southern Conference action. Elon slips to 8-14 overall and 4-6 in league play.
Elon opened the game with two 3-pointers from Matt Nowlin to take a 6-2 advantage just three minutes into the game. UNCG then went on a 16-0 run to take an 18-6 lead at the 11:58 mark on a Joseph 3-pointer. The Phoenix would claw their way back into it and pull within one, 32-31, at the intermission on yet another Nowlin 3-pointer.
The Phoenix opened the second half just the way it ended, a Nowlin 3-pointer, to take their first lead since the score was 6-5. The Spartans responded with their second large run of the game. This time the Spartans went on a 12-0 run to take a 44-34 lead at the 14:29 mark. A Rodney Blackstock layup with 8:44 remaining in regulation gave the Spartans their largest lead of the game, 55-39. Elon did manage to cut the lead to just seven points, 57-50, with 4:40 left on the clock, but the Phoenix would get no closer.
In addition to Joseph's 24 points, Jelani Lawrence added 12 points and seven rebounds in a starting role. Sean McCarthy scored eight points, pulled down five rebounds and blocked three shots in his first start of the season. As a team, UNCG outrebounded Elon, 33-27, and shot 53.2% from the field (25-of-47). The Spartans went 11-of-17 from the free throw line, while the Phoenix were just 2-for-2.
Matt Nowlin went 8-for-15 from the floor for Elon, all from behind the arc, for 24 points. Atoyebi Jackson, the Southern Conference Player of the Week, had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. The Phoenix struggled from the field, shooting just 37.5% (21-of-56).
UNCG will return to the hardwood again on Monday, February 9, at Wofford. Tip-off is set for 7 pm at Benjamin Johnson Arena. Elon will host The Citadel on Monday at 8 pm.
