MACON, Ga. – While a persistent drizzle and heavy mist fell outside of Hawkins Arena, junior guard
Angelo Allegri brought the rain with a torrential downpour of timely 3-point baskets to help UNC Greensboro (UNCG) hold off Mercer, 77-74, in a Southern Conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon.
Allergi scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the first-half. He finished with a career-best tying five 3-pointers to fuel the Spartans offense. Four of his 3-pointers in the opening 20 minutes helped UNCG open a double-digit advantage in the first half.
That separation was appreciated late in the game when Mercer finished fast and threw a scare into UNCG, which scored a season best 45 points in the first half.
The Spartans survived a game-tying 3-point shot attempt as the buzzer expired to hold off hard-charging Mercer, which ended the contest by scoring 18 of the game's final 23 points. Walking the tightrope of tension was unsettling for sure, but the Spartans got the job and were able to enjoy a happy six-hour bus ride back to Greensboro.
Enough about that.
Ultimately, the Spartans did what they needed to do earn a tough road victory to ensure they remained in first place with five games remaining. At the end of the day, that's all that matters. The late wobble by UNCG was more than enough to keep it focused as it completes its schedule.
For the first 36 minutes, UNCG unleashed an expression of excellence by showcasing all facets of its versatile game. It didn't matter that senior guard and SoCon Player of the Year candidate
Isaiah Miller picked up two fouls within the first three minutes.
The resourceful Spartans have never been a one-man team.
They are a talented collection of savvy, committed, and confident players that remain together throughout adversity and rely on one another whenever they need a lift.
In addition to Allegri's outstanding performance, Miller added 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals. Junior guard
Kaleb Hunter contributed 11 points while
Mohammed Abdulsalam finished with 10 rebounds.
Records
UNCG 15-6 overall, 10-3 SoCon
Mercer 12-8, 5-8
Inside The Numbers
- With the game tied at 14 with 12:29 remaining in the first half, the Spartans gained control by scoring 10 straight points.
- Consecutive Allegri 3-pointers fueled the run.
- This was the 20th time Miller has scored in double figures this season and the 92nd time in his career.
- Hunter reached double digits for the ninth time this season and for the 27th time in his career.
- Hunter, who added five rebounds, has scored in double figures in six of UNCG's last 10 games.
- This was the sixth time this season that Allegri scored in double figures and the 18th time in his career.
- This was the 27th game over the last two years in which Allegri has made multiple 3-pointers.
- Allegri has 108 career 3-pointers.
- This was the sixth time this season that Allegri made at least three 3-pointers in a game.
- Hayden Koval, Hunter, and Allegri combined for 26 points in the first half to help the Spartans to a 45-31 intermission edge.
- A.J. McGinnis and Keyshaun Langley scored seven points each for the Spartans and made key baskets during the first half.
- Langley had six assists to lead UNCG.
- UNCG was whistled for six fouls before the first media timeout.
- Abdulsalam has 15 games this season in which he has finished with at least six rebounds.
- This is the fourth time this season that UNCG has made double-digit 3-pointers and the first since it made 11 against Samford on Jan. 16.
- This is the sixth straight season that UNCG has won at least 10 conference contests.
- Leon Ayers III scored 17 points to lead the Bears.
- Ross Cummings (15 points) and Jeff Gary (14) reached double digits for Mercer.
Up Next
- UNCG visits VMI on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
