GREENSBORO, N.C. - After a slow first half of offense, UNCG women's basketball (2-8, 0-1) fought hard in the final 20 minutes to draw level with visitors Western Carolina (3-7, 1-0) but were just outlasted by the Catamounts in a 49-42 final at Fleming Gymnasium. CeCe Crudup and Amber Redmond combined for 25 points in the second half alone, but were unable to overcome the 10-point deficit they were faced with after the second quarter.

Both sides struggled to get into an offensive rhythm during the first quarter, with the score standing 4-4 after 10 minutes. The Catamounts would eventually start to find their stroke during the second, hitting 6-of-11 to take a 21-11 lead into the break. The Spartans forced 11 turnovers during the first two periods, but 16 of their own put the home team behind the eight-ball heading into the second half. 

Some foul trouble kept starting guard CeCe Crudup to just four minutes in the first two quarters, while Redmond and Jayla Johnson each had a pair of field goals. Freshman Khalis Cain led all Spartans with five rebounds and three blocks after 20 minutes. 

UNCG used the three to get back within striking distance of WCU during the third quarter, hitting back-to-back jumpers from beyond the arc to get back within four. The Spartans ended up knocking down three of their five three-point attempts during the third period, scoring eight points off of the five turnovers they forced. 

The hosts continued to battle into the fourth, coming within a possession of Western Carolina with seven minutes remaining on the clock. WCU responded with an 8-0 run over the proceeding three minutes however, knocking down 6-of-8 free throw opportunities in the waning moments to secure a seven-point victory. 

>> Crudup's team-high of 15 were all scored in the second half, while sophomore Amber Redmond poured in 10 of her 14 in that frame. The former hit three of her four attempts in the fourth quarter, with the latter going 3-of-6 with a three-pointer and three free throws in the last 20 minutes
>> Khalis Cain pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds on the day, with six of those coming on the offensive glass. She's averaging eight rebounds per game since becoming a starter six contests prior
>> UNCG scored 18 points off of WCU turnovers, roughly 43-percent of their offensive production on the day

COMING UP NEXT
The Spartans continue their run of SoCon play with Mercer coming to Greensboro the 14th and 16th. UNCG is just 3-12 against the Bears all-time, but recorded all three of those wins just the previous season.

#letsgoG