UNCG (3-16, 3-6) at Samford (11-10, 3-6)
Pete Hanna Center • Birmingham, Ala.
Jan. 29, 2011 • Game 20 • 5 p.m. EST
Radio: WCOG 1320-AM (Scott Pryzwansky & Stan Lewter)
Internet: Samford Sports Network (subscription required)
LiveStats: SamfordSports.com
FULL GAME NOTES (PDF FORMAT)
Storylines:
• The Spartans will look to bounce back from their double overtime loss on Thursday night, as UNCG continues its road swing at Samford on Saturday at 5 p.m. EST.
• The Bulldogs lead the all-time series against the Spartans, 6-1, dating back to 1993. Just a few weeks ago on Jan. 6, UNCG hosted Samford and dropped a tight contest, 68-64. The Spartans erased a 13-point halftime deficit to pull within two at 62-60 with 37 seconds left, but wasn't able to get any closer down the stretch. Last season, UNCG easily defeated Samford in the first meeting on the road, 73-40, but fell in the rematch in Greensboro, 70-67, later in the s eason.
• The Spartans are coming off a heartbreaking 111-110 double overtime loss at Chattanooga on Thursday evening. UNCG held a 109-102 lead in the second extra session, but the Mocs forced a UNCG turnover and converted it into a fast break layup to take a 111-110 lead with 15 seconds left. UNCG's final attempt by Trevis Simpson rolled off the rim.
• Samford snapped its five-game losing streak on Thursday night as the Bulldogs edged Elon at home, 69-67. It was the first win for the Bulldogs since their win at UNCG on Jan. 6. Samford was led in the contest by John Peterson off the bench, who scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half. The Bulldogs are currently tied with the Spartans for fourth place in the North Division.
• Last Thursday, the Spartans ran their winning streak to three games with an 87-75 win at home against Georgia Southern. UNCG had five players in double figures for the first time since Jan. 9 of last year against Furman. It marked the first time UNCG has won three games in a row since winning five straight towards the end of the 2007-08 season.
• UNCG was winless in its first 15 outings this season after facing six ACC opponents and very tough teams in Richmond and VCU. 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.
• Sophomore Korey Van Dussen now leads the Spartans in scoring with 10.9 ppg after his 33 point performance at Chattanooga. Senior Brandon Evans is tops in the conference in 3-point percentage at 48.2% from behind the arc.
• Junior College transfer Aloysius Henry has provided an immediate spark in the post for the Spartans. He currently is second on the team in scoring (10.2 ppg) and is also first in rebounding (5.7 rpg), while shooting 45.0% 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. Samford - Samford leads 6-1
Jan. 18, 1993 L 66-81 Greensboro, N.C.
Jan. 24, 2009 L 61-76 Greensboro, N.C.
Feb. 12, 2009 L 60-73 Birmingham, Ala.
Dec. 5, 2009 W 73-40 Birmingham, Ala.
Jan. 23, 2010 L 67-70 Greensboro, N.C.
Jan. 6, 2011 L 64-68 Greensboro, N.C. (Colis.)
Breaking it all down:
UNCG
Offense (National Rank)
Points: 70.1 (151)
Rebounds: 12.6 (87)
Assists: 12.3 (227)
FG%: 41.8% (270)
FT%: 65.7% (269)
3P%: 36.7% (85)
Defense (Rank)
Points: 83.3 (343)
Rebounds: 20.9 (327)
Assists: 15.9 (332)
FG%: 49.5% (345)
FT%: 69.8% (236)
3P%: 39.9% (339)
Samford
Offense (National Rank)
Points: 60.9 (323)
Rebounds: 5.8 (345)
Assists: 13.7 (136)
FG%: 42.4% (238)
FT%: 67.9% (197)
3P%: 36.6% (91)
Defense (Rank)
Points: 64.5 (93)
Rebounds: 22.2 (278)
Assists: 12.0 (125)
FG%: 40.8% (78)
FT%: 68.7% (175)
3P%: 36.8% (296)
