ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. – In its first game in the Jersey Mike's Classic, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team was victorious with a score of 60-58 over the University of Wisconsin Green Bay Thursday afternoon.
 
The Spartans saw contributions from all 11 players giving UNCG an impressive 4-0 start to the 2021-22 season. This is the first time with an undefeated record to start the season in its Division I era as a program and it matches its best start since the 1982-83 season.
 
This was the first meeting between Spartans and the Phoenix.
 
Junior Kobe Langley tallied a career-high 16 points off the bench to lead UNCG, registering his first-career game with double-digit figures.

How It Happened

• UNCG's senior Mohammed Abdulsalam scored the first two points of the game on free throws, 2-0, and Green Bay went on a 7-0 run and did not look back, 7-2.
• The Phoenix saw its largest lead of 16, 27-11, after Emmanuel Ansong scored three-straight baskets for Green Bay.
• The Spartans closed the gap to seven, 34-27, heading into the locker room.
• UNCG erupted in the second half with a 7-0 run, including a big three-point play from junior Jalen White to tie the game at 34.
• With a free throw from White and a three-pointer from junior JC Tharrington, the Spartans saw its second lead of the game, 40-36, with 13:17 to play.
• The Phoenix put up eight-straight points to take back the lead, 43-40, before Langley hit his second three-pointer to tie the game at 43.
• The game was tied three more times, including with 28 seconds remaining, where the Phoenix banked their eighth three-pointer, 58-58.
• With three seconds remaining, Langley drove through the key putting up his sixth field goal of the afternoon to secure the victory, 60-58.  

By the Numbers

• Langley led the team with 16 points off the bench for a career high.
• Graduate student Kaleb Hunter matched his season-high with 10 points and contributed five rebounds. Hunter also scored 10 points against Coppin State on Monday.
• Graduate student De'Monte Buckingham tallied a game-high 10 rebounds.
• This is his second-straight game with double-digit boards.
• 36 of the Spartans' 60 points came from the bench.
• UNCG outrebounded Green Bay 39-27.

Records
Green Bay     0-3
UNCG            4-0
 
Quotable
Langley, on his performance
"I came in feeling good. We had two good practices leading up to the game. When I came in, I hit my first shot, then I hit my second shot, and then everything else fell for me."
 
Langley, on the spark during the second half
"The spark came from the locker room and talking about what we need to do. We came out with a good plan, and we executed."

Final Word
UNCG head coach Mike Jones on the victory
"Another great game and down to the wire. I thought our guys maintained their poise when we got down early, they didn't allow it to affect us. Our resolve has been the most consistent thing that we've had outside of our defense. Tonight, we had great resolve. When we came out in the second half, unlike some of the other games, we really had a singular focus as a team with getting stops and holding them scoreless for part of the second half to allow us to climb back into the game.
 
Jones, on Hunter and Langley's performance
"Those guys have been through the war before. They are veteran players. They are taking the opportunity this year to play a bigger role. I am really proud of the way they responded and how they were able to make some plays to give us the momentum in the second half."
 
Jones, on Dante Treacy and White playing in their home state
"They were excited the days leading up to getting on the plane. Any chance to play in front of your family, it's got to feel good, especially when you're from far away. I thought both had great poise. They didn't allow the hype of coming home and the hype of family to affect them on the court. I think they played better than they have in some instances, so it was great to have that lift from them."
 
Up Next
UNCG makes a quick turnaround and will face UMass Amherst tomorrow, Friday, November 19 with a tip-off at 3:00 p.m. in its second game of the classic. The game will be streamed on the CBS Sports Network.