Women's Basketball 12/13/2012 7:00:00 PM UNCGSpartans.com

Women's Basketball Hosts Norfolk State In Battle Of Spartans

GREENSBORO, N.C. - The UNCG women's basketball team continues a five-game homestand Saturday, welcoming Norfolk State to Fleming Gymnasium for a nonconference affair. After falling to Richmond last Saturday, the Spartans look for their first victory since a 55-49 victory over Gardner-Webb Nov. 17.

Junior Breonna Patterson (Greensboro, N.C./Dudley) tied her career high with 23 points against the Spiders and was a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line. Also joining Patterson in double figures offensively were freshmen Lucy Mason (Stone Mountain, Ga./Chamblee Charter) and Sarafina Arthur-Williams (Germantown, Md./Winston Churchill) as they dropped in 13 and 11 respectively – a personal best total for Arthur-Williams. Patterson and Mason led the team on the glass, racking up seven rebounds each as Mason posted a career high. The Spartans out-rebounded a team for the second time this season, pulling down 41 boards as compared to 39 for Richmond, while also posting a 20-9 advantage in offensive rebounds.

• Saturday's contest marks the third meeting between UNCG and Norfolk State with NSU capturing both contests. The squads have not played since March 8, 1991 when Norfolk State captured a 72-62 decision in Norfolk, Va.

• UNCG holds a 24-8 record against schools in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC). The Spartans have faced Coppin State (0-1), Hampton (1-0), Maryland-Eastern Shore (2-0), Morgan State (3-0), Norfolk State (0-2), North Carolina A&T (13-5), North Carolina Central (4-0) and South Carolina State (1-0) but have never met Bethune-Cookman, Delaware State, Florida A&M, Howard or Savannah State.

• Norfolk State enters the game at 1-7 overall after a 73-50 loss on the road at Radford Thursday. The Spartans are searching for their first road win of the season and have not emerged victorious since a 60-51 triumph over Penn in their season opener.

SCORING IS UP...
After averaging just 49.6 points per game last season, the Spartans are scoring 58.0 a contest this year. UNCG netted 69 points against Richmond, its most since dropping in 70 at North Carolina Central Nov. 26, 2011.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE FOR POINTS...
UNCG's seven freshmen have earned valuable playing experience this season and are responsible for over half of the Spartans' offensive output. Of UNCG's 406 points, the rookies have scored 211 (52 percent).

FROSH LEADING THE WAY...
Freshman point guard Lucy Mason has enjoyed a fine start to her UNCG career as she is averaging a team-best 14.1 points per game. She has led the squad in scoring four times while averaging 34.6 minutes played. Mason also currently ranks ninth among SoCon players in scoring average.

PLAY THE D...
The Spartans have played some intense defense so far this season, racking up 91 steals and forcing 168 turnovers. Mason owns a team-best 16 steals while UNCG ranks first in the league and 21st nationally with 13.0 per contest.

THREE-POINT STREAK AT 27...
UNCG has nailed at least one three-point field goal in the last 27 games and 182 of the last 183. The Spartans owned a streak of 155-straight contests with a triple until they went 0-6 at Wofford Dec. 17, 2011.

WHAT'S UP NEXT?...
UNCG will play another MEAC program in its next contest as the Blue and Gold hosts North Carolina Central Wednesday, Dec. 19. Tipoff at Fleming Gymnasium is set for 7 p.m.