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UNC Greensboro

aja boyd
carlos@altasky.com AltaSky LLC
47
Lenoir-Rhyne LRU 1-2,0-1 SAC
68
Winner UNC Greensboro UNCG 3-1,0-0 SoCon
Lenoir-Rhyne LRU
1-2,0-1 SAC
47
Final
68
UNC Greensboro UNCG
3-1,0-0 SoCon
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Lenoir-Rhyne LRU 13 15 13 6 47
UNC Greensboro UNCG 15 20 12 21 68

Game Recap: Women's Basketball | | by Rob Knox, Associate AD for Strategic Communications

Boyd's Return Boosts UNCG Past Lenoir-Rhyne

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Less than three minutes into her first game action in 624 days, Aja Boyd fell hard to the floor. She grimaced. The rest of the fans in Fleming Gym held their breaths and put their hands over their chests. 
 
"I was trying to cut to the basket, and I ran right into Isys (Grady)," a smiling Boyd said of that moment. "I was like here I go. Usually, when I fall, it's so hard for me to get up. It wasn't bad. I was like O.K.; I am in the game now. You got a bump, some contact, and now keep moving. It was like a readjustment that I am playing basketball again."
 
It was beautiful to witness. 
 
Boyd scored a game-high 16 points to lead four players in double figures and help the Spartans remain perfect at home with a tough, 68-47, victory over Lenoir-Rhyne in a non-conference contest inside of Fleming Gym Sunday afternoon.
 
She called her mom Sunday morning and asked for advice. Her message was simplistic: 'do you.'
 
Once Boyd recovered from her early fall, she was dominant -- pirouetting around, over, and through the Lenoir-Rhyne defense like a graceful ballet dancer. She snatched rebounds and sprinted the floor. 
 
She was back in a big way. Perhaps, maybe better than ever despite the large black brace on her right leg. Boyd added seven rebounds in 18 entertaining minutes.
 
Boyd was introduced as part of the starting lineup at 1:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. It was the culmination of a long journey for her, especially when faced with the frightening prospect that she may never play again. 
 
The two-time All-Southern Conference preseason selection missed all last season and the first three games this season while rehabbing from an injury. Boyd worked out in solitude confidently believing this day would arrive. 
 
She spent months of rehab, pedaling furiously on an exercise bike, strengthening her leg, and writing poetry to help nourish her soul. Her faith kept her going. Boyd's family, coaches, teammates, and friends kept her encouraged.
 
Her ebullient and ethereal presence galvanizes her teammates and breathes a new spirit into the Spartan fortunes for the 2021-22 season. 
 
Quotable
Boyd on her return and emotions.
"Today was so weird for me. I didn't feel nervous. I got a rush of thankfulness. I was told that I probably wouldn't play again, and I am thankful to be here today. I woke up this morning and shed a tear and was like wow, 'God put me in this great position.' I am just thankful. I feel great. Before (assistant athletic trainer) AD came in, Lauren prepared me, coach Self prepared me, and my coaches prepared me. I felt strong and ready to play. They got me in the best shape possible to get ready for today." 
 
UNCG head coach Trina Patterson on Boyd's return.
The idea of knowing that maybe I won't play again and playing again was all that was important. I wasn't worried about what type of game she would play. The fact is you're back on the court and you worked so hard to get there. It's just a blessing that she's able to play. We must monitor her minutes. For her, to be able to play the game she loves is special." 
 
How It Happened
  • Boyd's first field goal at 2:18 p.m. since the SoCon championship game against Samford on March 8, 2020, started a quick sequence of six straight points.
  • Boyd's layup gave UNCG a 15-13 lead to end the first quarter.
  • She opened the second quarter with two quick baskets that expanded UNCG's lead to 19-13.
  • Boyd and Crudup combined for 19 first-half points to help the Spartans grab a 35-28 halftime edge.
  • UNCG held Lenoir-Rhyne without a basket for the final 3 minutes, 49 seconds of the second quarter. 
  • Grady scored eight of her 13 points in the third quarter.
  • Yet, Lenoir-Rhyne trailed 47-41 after the third quarter. 
  • Graduate student Pernilla Sorensen is also back for the Spartans. She took control.
  • She unleashed her fury with an 11-point fourth-quarter flurry that provided the fuel UNCG needed to finally separate from the pesky Bears. 
  • Sorensen opened the fourth quarter with a 3-pointer that started an 18-0 UNCG run over the first seven minutes.
  • Molly James led Lenoir-Rhyne with 10 points. 
 
Inside The Numbers
  • Grady has scored in double figures in three straight games. 
  • This is the third game this season in which Cain had at least two blocked shots. 
  • This was Boyd's 38th career game in double figures as a Spartan.
  • In addition to scoring 10 points, CeCe Crudup tied her career-best with five steals 
  • Crudup and Jaylynn Brown had four assists each.
  • UNCG had 15 assists. 
  • Cain led UNCG with nine rebounds and Grady added eight boards.
  • UNCG had 10 players hit the scoring column for the second straight game. 
  • This was the second consecutive game in which UNCG limited an opponent to single-digit points in the fourth quarter. 
  • UNCG had 24 offensive rebounds and 27 second-chance points.
  • Boyd is ninth all-time in program history with 67 blocked shots.
 
Up Next
  • UNCG will compete in the Coastal Carolina tournament during Thanksgiving weekend. The Spartans meet host Coastal Carolina on Friday, Nov. 26 at 2 p.m.
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