GREENSBORO, N.C. – Bas Leyte and
Khyre Thompson fell hard on the honey-colored hardwood floor less than a minute into the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team's 74-61 triumph over Elon at the Greensboro Coliseum Tuesday night.
Veterans of last year's NCAA Tournament team, Leyte and Thompson set the tone for the Spartans, who sprinted to a 10-0 lead and never looked back. Then, the Spartans made sure this would be a drama-free evening by ending the first half with a 13-2 run to finish November with a flourish.
Leyte's tenacious effort forced a turnover on Elon's first possession of the game.
It's the only way the Spartans know how to play. Fighting for inches on every single play. If it means tumbling to the floor for a loose ball, getting knocked down after taking a charge, or crashing hard to the court pursuing a rebound, UNCG doesn't take anything for granted.
UNCG's blue-ribbon defense placed Elon's explosive offense into a vice and slowly squeezed the life out of the Phoenix like a boa constrictor to remain perfect at home. In the process, UNCG extended its winning streak to three games behind a balanced performance that complemented another masterpiece of defensive mayhem.
Elon was the third opponent that UNCG held below 36 percent shooting this season.
Records
Elon 2-6
UNCG 7-2
Quotable
Leyte on UNCG's victory.
"Overall, it was a great performance and something we're satisfied with as a team. Everybody is embracing their role well here. We're not selfish. We want to share the ball and see everybody do well. That's one of our keys to success that's helped us get to where we are so far. We have a deep lineup and everybody can play. We all stepped up and did what we needed to do tonight. Everybody works hard in practice and it reflects during the game."
Statistical Standouts
- De'Monte Buckingham was a force throughout the game as he scored 21 points to lead UNCG.
- He also added six rebounds.
- Helped by a 12-for-12 effort at the foul line, Leyte finished with 17 points and seven rebounds.
- Thompson contributed 13 points and six rebounds for UNCG.
- Elon got 15 points from Darius Bluford.
- Hunter Woods and Torrence Watson finished with 13 points each for the Phoenix.
How It Happened
- UNCG opened the game making five of its first seven baskets.
- Elon's first four baskets were 3-pointers.
- Reggie Raynor's first career 3-pointer extended UNCG's lead to 22-14
- After Elon closed to within, 26-23, Dante Treacy and Bas Leyte made back to back 3-pointers that expanded UNCG's lead to 32-23.
- UNCG enjoyed a 39-25 halftime advantage, its largest of the 2021-22 season.
- Early in the second half, Buckingham made consecutive 3-pointers on two straight possessions to swell UNCG's lead to 47-31 with 15:55 remaining.
- Miles Jones' one-handed dunk off a nice pass from Kobe Langley was a highlight.
- After Elon closed to within 55-47 with 7:22 remaining, Jalen White and Thompson scored baskets to push the Spartan lead to 12 points.
- UNCG's lead never dropped below double digits after that.
- Elon attempted its first foul shot with 6:05 remaining in the game.
Inside the Numbers
- UNCG tied a season-high with eight 3-pointers.
- The Spartans have made eight 3-pointers in consecutive contests.
- The Spartans attempted a season-high 30 free throws.
- The 30 free throw attempts are the most by a UNCG team in a single-game since it shot 33 against Wofford on Feb. 19, 2020.
- Leyte attempted 12 free throws, the most since Isaiah Miller attempted 14 in a game at Samford last season.
- The 12 free throws made by Leyte are the most by a UNCG player since Francis Alonso made 17 against Samford on Dec. 22, 2018.
- Elon entered the game ranked in the top 30 nationally in 3-pointers made per game (10.3).
- The Phoenix made nine and two of those makes occurred in the last three minutes.
- This was the sixth time this season and the 65th during his sterling career that Buckingham has hit for double digits.
- This is Buckingham's third game of 20 or more points this season and the 12th of his career.
- Leyte has scored in double figures in three of UNCG's last four games.
- This was Thompson's second double digit scoring game this season and the sixth of his career.
- Dante Treacy had a season-best six assists.
- Kobe Langley had a season-best four steals.
- In five home games this season, UNCG is allowing 54.8 points per outing.
Up Next
- UNCG enjoys a nice break before starting an arduous three-game road trip to No. 15 Tennessee, Towson, and UMBC.
- The Spartans visit the Volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m. That game can be seen on the SEC Network.
Final Word
Buckingham on how his teammates have helped him.
"My teammates always get me going and lead the charge. I am grateful to have teammates that care about me and what I can do on the floor and let me showcase it during different moments. The summer work we had helped our energy and chemistry. These guys work hard all the time and give it their all and when you have teammates like that, it makes it fun to play the game."
