GREENSBORO, N.C.- The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball fell to the SoCon favorites, Mercer Bears, 66-60, in their first conference game of the season on Thursday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Isys Grady opened the scoring for the Spartans with an easy jumper.
- UNCG's defense was strong, holding the Mercer Bears scoreless for the first 3:33 of the game.
- A three-pointer by Pernilla Sorensen would give the Spartans their biggest lead of the quarter, 11-5.
- Mercer took the lead in the second half, but the Spartans stuck with the Bears, not allowing their lead to grow by more than five.
- The Spartans entered halftime down by two, 31-29.
- The Spartans and Bears traded points back and forth, tying five times in the third quarter.
- CeCe Crudup put the Spartans up by one with a free throw.
- The final 10 minutes were wild.
- The Spartan's largest deficit was eight points, 58-50, with 6:40 left.
- Back-to-back-to-back layups from Crudup and Grady made it a two-point game.
- The Bears answered with a layup and two free throws to end the game, 66-60.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Aja Boyd and Grady were the only Spartans with double-digit points with 15 and 13, respectively.
- Crudup and Amar dished out four assists.
- Grady led with three steals while Nasia Powell followed with two.
- Boyd and Khalis Cain pulled seven boards.
- Cain and Grady recorded a block.
- Sorensen went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc.
- UNCG shot 49% from the floor.
QUOTE FROM COACH TRINA PATTERSON
On the first game back in 22 days
"Although I thought we were rusty, I'm really proud of our performance. We made some movements. Our shot selection was much better. To come back and to do this type of job against the first-place team, to hold their two best players below their average. We had some players come off the bench and show really solid play."
On fourth quarter
"We're really working on the fourth quarter. We had a much better improved fourth quarter. Our pace was better. We've made some progress and we've made progress against a really good team."
UPCOMING
UNCG will welcome the Samford Bulldogs to Fleming on Saturday, Jan. 15 at 4 p.m.
