GREENSBORO, N.C. - UNCG women's basketball (4-12, 2-5) splits its season series with Wofford (9-5, 5-3) for a third consecutive year this Saturday, falling to the visitors by a final of 63-59. The Spartans were led by senior CeCe Crudup, who scored 16 on the afternoon, with fellow senior guard Tori Powell and freshman Khalis Cain pouring in 12.

The afternoon started with the celebration of the careers of seven senior Spartans, with the program celebrating its 'Senior Night' against the Terriers on Saturday. Commemorating their final season in blue and gold, Crudup, Powell, Pernilla Sorensen, Rhianna Council, Lilian Izundu, Aja Boyd and student manager Kianna Funderburk were all honored by their families and friends via the videoboard in Fleming Gymnasium, as COVID-19 protocols altered traditional festivities and attendance.

"This game was really about celebrating our seniors and everything that they've done for our program," said head coach Trina Patterson. "They've really contributed a lot. They're involved in things both on and off the court. CeCe [Crudup], Aja [Boyd] and Tori [Powell] have really been here the longest but I'm really pleased with the entire group's SoCon Championship from last year. Their off the court leadership, the things that they've done, their participation in the United Black Student-Athletes Association is all impressive. They're quality people, they fit our culture, and I'm really glad to have them as a part of our program."

"This day was very special," said Powell. "Aja Boyd and I started at Long Island University together, so for us to grow and to enjoy this day together was something I've looked forward to. Having made relationships with all our other seniors, it was just really great to be able to celebrate with them as well."

Sophomore Jayla Johnson opened the scoring on Saturday with four straight points, but the visiting Terriers quickly took back the lead, finishing the first quarter on a 20-7 run. Khalis Cain scored five in the opening frame, pouring in 10 before the halftime whistle while going a perfect 3-for-3 from the floor with four free throws. 

Combined with the effort from Cain, Powell hit a pair of threes in the second quarter, with her nine points in the period helping to bring the Spartans back into the lead. UNCG hit all four of their first half three-pointers during the second, going 4-of-5 from deep during that term to take a 35-33 lead into the break.

The contest took its sixth lead change with just over a minute remaining in the third, as the Spartans were held to eight points in the period. The home team stuck around for the remainder of the contest thanks in part to a scoring streak from Crudup. After spending the majority of the first half kicking out assists to her teammates at the wing, the senior guard came alive for 12 points in the second half, nine of which came in the closing 10 minutes. 

Crudup's efforts down the stretch weren't enough to bring forth a Spartan win however. With UNCG forced to foul in the latter moments to catch up on points, the Terriers knocked down 6-of-8 free throw attempts in the last 90 seconds to complete a 63-59 win.

>> While she didn't get into double-digits, sophomore Jayla Johnson put in a seven-point, seven-rebound effort against the Terriers, adding two steals in her 18 minutes played. Her rebound total is a new career-high
>> Senior guards Powell and Crudup combined for 28 of their team's 59 points on the day, along with five steals and four assists
>> While she has not made an appearance on the court this year, Aja Boyd currently ranks ninth in Spartan history with 66 rejections in her career. UNCG had three blocks against Wofford on Saturday; a pair from Cain and one from Lilian Izundu

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