GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG men's basketball team welcomed a former Southern Conference rival to town Saturday afternoon as the Spartans dropped a 71-64 contest to Elon at the Greensboro Coliseum in non-conference action. The Spartans will be off for the holiday break and return to action Dec. 28 when they travel to East Carolina.

The Spartans connected on just 33.3 percent (19-of-57) from the field and 33.3 percent (3-of-9) from long range in the loss. Conversely, Elon connected on 50 percent (24-of-48) from the field and hit 5-of-13 (38.5%) from 3-point land. UNCG held a commanding 37-31 edge on the glass, including 15 offensive rebounds but committed 17 turnovers on the loss.

Junior forward Kayel Locke (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) led three in double figures scoring with 17 points and nine rebounds. Locke was just 6-of-17 from the field but hit 5-of-6 from the free throw line. Redshirt sophomore center R.J. White (Frisco, Texas/Frisco) posted his fifth double-double of the season with 16 points and a game-high 12 rebounds while also blocking a career-high five shots.

Sophomore guard Tevon Saddler (Aberdeen, Md./St. Frances Academy) added 15 points and three assists as he was 8-of-10 from the free throw line but just 3-of-14 from the field. Elon was led by Tanner Samson's 21 points as he was 9-of-11 from the free throw line while Elijah Bryant chipped in 20 points off the bench.

The Spartans started early as they opened to a 10-7 lead with White leading the way with four early points. The teams traded baskets back-and-forth and held a 20-18 lead with senior Nicholas Paulos (Salt Lake City, Utah/New Hampton School) hitting a 3-pointer. Elon had the game's first extended run with a 10-2 sport to take a 28-22 lead. Austin Hamilton provided a spark off the bench, scoring four straight points.

The Phoenix (6-5) took a 35-29 lead into the locker room as they hit 54.2 percent (13-of-24) from the field while the Spartans connected on 34.5 percent (10-of-29). White and Saddler led UNCG in the first half with seven points each while Bryant paced Elon with 12 points.

Elon opened the second half much like it ended the first, scoring the first nine points to take a 44-29 lead as Samson scored the first five points of the second half. The Spartans slowed the run with a quick 5-0 run as Locke and White both scored in the paint. Elon was able to extend the lead back to 13 at 49-36 with 13:40 left, but the Spartans scored eight straight to pull within five at 49-44. White was the catalyst, scoring five points in the run including an old-fashioned three-point play.

The Phoenix were able to push the lead back out to double figures before the Spartans narrowed the gap once again to 62-58 with 4:03 remaining. UNCG went inside to Locke and White as they pulled within four points, attacking the paint and dominating play on the glass. The Spartans came up with a big defensive stop on the ensuing possession, but were unable to convert a 3-pointer that would have made it a one-point game. Elon was able to hit its free throws down the stretch, keeping it a two-possession game in the final three minutes of action.

UNCG returns to play Dec. 28 as it makes the trip to Greenville, N.C. for a non-conference matchup against East Carolina. Game time is set for 2 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN3.

-UNCG-