GREENSBORO, N.C. –The UNCG men's basketball team hits the road for the first time in the 2015-16 season Saturday evening as the Spartans travel to Orlando, Fla., for a matchup against American Athletic Conference foe UCF. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at the CFE Arena and the game will be broadcast on ESPN3 and the Watch ESPN App. Additionally, the game will be aired on 1320 WCOG AM and online via Tune In with Scott Pryzwansky providing the call.
UNCG enters Saturday's game with a 2-0 record on the year as it posted victories over Greensboro College and Chowan. The Spartans are averaging 83.5 points per game while holding opponents to 64.5 points per game. UNCG is shooting 53.3 percent (57-of-107) from the field and 35 percent (14-of-40) from long range.
Junior center R.J. White (Frisco, Texas/Frisco) leads six Spartans averaging double figures through two games this year. White scored 19 points in the Spartans' 81-60 victory over Chowan in his first action of the year. He connected on 7-of-8 from the field and 5-of-7 from the free throw line. Senior forward Kayel Locke (Baltimore, Md./McDonogh) is second on the team in scoring at 14.0 points per game and ranks second on the team on the glass at 6.5 rebounds per game.
Junior guard Clay Byrd (Connelly Springs, N.C./East Burke) is third on the team in scoring at 13.0 points per game and has hit 8-of-13 (61.5%) from 3-point land. Junior guard Diante Baldwin (Greensboro, N.C./High Point Christian) has scored 11.0 points per game and is averaging 4.5 assists per game. Freshman guard Francis Alonso (Malaga, Spain/Cushing Academy) has scored 11.0 points per game off the bench, including a career-high 12 points against Chowan Tuesday night. Sophomore forward Marvin Smith (Richmond, Va./Fork Union Military Academy rounds out the Spartans in double figures at 11.0 points per game and leads the team on the glass at 7.0 rebounds per game.
The Spartans and Knights have played four times prior to Saturday's meeting but have not met since the 1992-93 season. The Spartans are 2-2 all-time against UCF with the home team winning all four contests. The teams played a home-and-home series in both 1991-92 and 1992-93. UNCG picked up a 66-63 victory in Greensboro in 1991 before falling 71-57 in Orlando later that year. The Spartans posted a 78-66 victory in 1992 before dropping a 72-66 contest later that year on the road.
UCF enters Saturday's game with an 0-2 record on the year, falling at Davidson 90-85 and at home Wednesday 61-60 in overtime to UC-Irvine. The Knights are averaging 72.5 points per game while allowing 75.5 points per game. UCF is shooting 38.6 percent (51-of-132) from the field and 31.8 percent (14-of-44) from 3-point land through two games. Additionally, the Knights are shooting 63 percent (29-of-46) from the free throw line. UCF has five players checking in at 6-9 or higher, including Tacko Fall at 7-6.
A.J. Davis leads the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game while going to the free throw line a team-high 11 times, hitting 90.9 percent. Adonys Henriquez is second on the team in scoring at 12.5 points per game and is second on the team in 6.5 rebounds per game.
Shaheed Davis leads the team on the glass, grabbing 9.5 rebounds per game. Fall has started both games averaging 5.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game. Matt Williams adds 11.0 points per game to round out the Knights in double figures.
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