Georgia Southern (4-15, 0-6) at UNCG (2-15, 2-5)
Greensboro Coliseum • Greensboro, N.C.
Jan. 20, 2011 • Game 18 • 7 p.m.
Radio: WCOG 1320-AM (Scott Pryzwansky & Stan Lewter)
Internet: Spartan All Acess (Free audio & video)
LiveStats: UNCGSpartans.com

Storylines:
• Winners of its last two games, UNCG will look to make it three straight on Thursday as the Spartans host Georgia Southern for another Southern Conference clash at 7 p.m. in the Greensboro Coliseum. The game marks the seventh home game for the Spartans in the past eight contests.

• The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Eagles, 10-8, dating back to 1998. The Spartans have won the last two meetings in the series, including the lone game last year between the two sides. Last season, UNCG built a 20 point second-half lead behind a career-high 30 points from Ben Stywall, but had to hang on late for the 81-79 win. Monday's game is likely to be a close one, as well, as the last six games between the Spartans and Eagles have been decided by an average of six points.

• Georgia Southern comes into the game having lost six games in a row, with its last win coming back on Dec. 22 against Georgia State. That game was the Eagles' lone win against a Division I opponent this season. The Eagles are now 4-15 overall this year and last place in the South Division at 0-6 in the SoCon.

• On Monday, UNCG won its second game in a row as it defeated Davidson 77-69. Trevis Simpson broke the UNCG record for scoring by a freshman in the Division I era as he posted a career-high 33 points on 12-15 shooting. Aaron Brackett was also in double figures with 11 points and added eight rebounds.

• Last Thursday, the Spartans went up the mountain to Appalachian State and broke through for their first win of the season, 75-74. Although the Spartans led for over the final five minutes, they had to come up with three defensive stops in the last 24 seconds to come out on top. Junior Aaron Brackett had a career night as he posted 28 points and 15 rebounds, while senior Brandon Evans added 18. Brian Cole was also in double figures with 10 points for UNCG.

• UNCG was winless in its first 15 outings this season after facing six ACC opponents and very tough Richmond and VCU teams. The 0-15 start by the Spartans marked the worst start in school history, breaking the record set by the 1967-68 and 1968-69 teams, which both started 0-7.

• Junior College transfer Aloysius Henry has provided an immediate spark in the post for the Spartans. He currently leads the team in scoring (11.2 ppg) and is also first in rebounding (6.0 rpg), while shooting 45.3% from the field.

• The Spartans have had a considerably new look over the last two seasons. In fact, just one person in uniform today was in uniform in the 2008-09 opener at Charlotte – Elhanan Bone.  Brandon Evans was sitting out after transferring from East Carolina and Darrius Sellers was injured.

The series:
UNCG vs. Georgia Southern  - UNCG leads 10-8
Jan. 29, 2007    W    65-62        Greensboro, N.C.
Jan. 5, 2008    W    79-67        Greensboro, N.C.
Feb. 4, 2008    L    78-80        Statesboro, Ga.
Jan. 15, 2009    L    63-72        Greensboro, N.C.
Feb. 7, 2009    W    84-76        Statesboro, Ga.
March 1, 2010    W    81-79        Greensboro, N.C. (Colis.)

Breaking it all down:
UNCG
Offense (National Rank)
Points:     66.8 (238)
Rebounds:     12.7 (94)
Assists:     11.2 (291)
FG%:     40.5% (298)
FT%:     65.1% (278)
3P%:     34.9% (146)
    
Defense (Rank)
Points:     82.2 (342)
Rebounds:     20.9 (324)
Assists:     16.0 (330)
FG%:     49.0% (343)
FT%:     69.2% (204)
3P%:     39.3% (331)

Georgia Southern
Offense (National Rank)
Points:     69.1 (184)
Rebounds:     10.5 (261)
Assists:     12.6 (213)
FG%:     44.6% (130)
FT%:     68.0% (194)
3P%:     31.9% (257)
    
Defense (Rank)
Points:     80.4 (338)
Rebounds:     21.2 (311)
Assists:     16.5 (340)
FG%:     49.3% (344)
FT%:     68.3% (161)
3P%:     36.2% (263)