GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG women's basketball team attempts to record its first victory of the 2013-14 campaign Monday, traveling to Gardner-Webb for a non-conference game. Tipoff at Paul Porter Arena is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Spartans opened the season Friday at Atlantic Coast Conference member Florida State and fell to the Seminoles by a 93-59 margin. It was UNCG's second-ever meeting with FSU and the first in Tallahassee.
The Spartans were able to put up 67 shots but only 20 fell through as UNCG finished the game shooting 29.9 percent from the floor. Conversely, the Seminoles knocked down 41 of their 70 attempts, many of them from down low to finish at 58.6 percent. FSU out-rebounded the Blue and Gold 48-34, but UNCG won the offensive rebounding battle 19-18 – resulting in 17 Spartan second-chance points.
Both squads had trouble holding onto the ball, combining for 42 turnovers in the early season battle. The Spartans did shine at the free throw line, draining 14 of 18 attempts (77.8 percent) led by freshmen forward Jade Scaife's (Ft. Washington, Md./Archbishop Spalding) 6-for-6 performance and freshman guard Shanese Harris' (Chesapeake, Va./Western Branch) 5-for-6 showing.
Senior forward Janae' Stevenson (Columbia, S.C./Eau Claire) paced the offensive attack with 12 points while freshman center Mariah Wilson (Atlanta, Ga./North Atlanta) pulled down a team-best six rebounds including three offensive boards. Freshman guard Bailey Williams (Williamsburg, Va./Spotswood) dished out a squad-high three assists in her collegiate debut.
Gardner-Webb began its season at home against NAIA member Montreat and came away with an 86-46 victory. Jessica Heilig made a pair of three-pointers, knocked down five field goals and pulled down five boards in just 15 minutes of action. Joining her in double figures were Lana Doran (11), Candace Brown (10) and Catrina Green (10). Brown added six rebounds, four assists and two steals. Point guard Mayhana Dunovant finished with five points, seven assists and a pair of steals in just 18 minutes.
Gardner-Webb shot 58.1 percent from the floor in the opening half (18-of-31) and finished at 48.4 percent for the game – including a 10-of-23 effort from 3-point range (43.5 percent).
The Spartans and Bulldogs met for the first time last season in Greensboro with UNCG posting a 55-49 victory. Then freshman guard Lucy Mason (Stone Mountain, Ga./Chamblee Charter) led the Blue and Gold with 14 points to go along with four steals and three assists.
UNCG will open the home portion of its schedule this Friday, welcoming South Carolina State to Fleming Gymnasium. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m.
