Box Score GREENSBORO, N.C. – Hard work paid off Thursday night for the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team as it snapped its five-game losing streak with a 63-61 victory over Chattanooga. This was the Spartans' first overtime game of the season.
The series is now split between the two teams tied at 1-1. Graduate student
Aja Boyd was dominant for the Spartans as she surpassed three season-highs in points (21), rebounds (12), and blocks (3).
"I just had to put myself in a good headspace," said Boyd. "Coming off that long road trip, I just wanted to make sure I was solid for my team and it just happened to be points, rebounds, and blocks."
Boyd made her return to basketball earlier this season after missing the last two years due to injury. Tonight, sophomore
Jay'lin Hastings made her collegiate debut after missing the last two years because of injury.
"It's amazing,' Boyd said on Hastings debut. "Life is sometimes difficult and your sport can be taken from you in an instant and the hard part is getting there and when you do it feels good. I'm just really proud of Jay'lin. Her journey has been long and she hasn't been able to play one college game and tonight she got to touch the floor and I'm really happy for her."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Spartans jumped out to a quick 13-9 lead over Chattanooga.
- Aja Boyd, CeCe Crudup, and Khalis Cain scored two, while Jordan Releford made a three-pointer.
- The Mocs tied the game at 15 but Nasia Powell's free throw gave UNCG the lead again.
- Chattanooga took the one-point lead with 3:45 left in the first half with a layup.
- Both teams traded points but a trip to the charity stripe gave the Mocs a one-point lead going into halftime.
- The Spartans came out of halftime ready to show the Moc's who's house this was.
- UNCG scored 15 straight points to take a 40-26 lead, holding Chattanooga scoreless for 9:22.
- Chattanooga's scoreless streak was broken with a trip to the charity stripe.
- Nia Howard increased the Spartans lead with a pull-up jumper.
- The Mocs weren't going to go down without a fight.
- They scored 15 straight points to close the gap to one with under three minutes to go.
- A last-second shot by the Mocs would send the Spartans to overtime for the first time this season.
- Nitzan Amar scored the first overtime basket.
- The game was tied at 61 and the Spartans had possession with 11 seconds left.
- Boyd drove to the basket, almost falling, and made the last-second basket to give the Spartans the 63-61 win.
BY THE NUMBERS
- The four points the Mocs scored in the third quarter tie for the least amount allowed this season by the Spartans.
- The first time was in the first quarter at Western Carolina.
- Boyd had a season-high of 21 pts and led the Spartans in points.
- Boyd also had a season-high in rebounds totaling 12.
- Boyd led the team in blocks with a total of three, this was also another season-high.
- Amar and Releford were perfect from the charity stripe.
- UNCG had five steals.
- Pernilla Sorensen and Releford made the Spartans two three-pointers.
UPCOMING
UNCG will face the ETSU Bucs on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gym. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
2022 SoCon Tournament
- For information regarding the 2022 Ingles Southern Conference Men's and Women's Basketball Championships at Harrah's Cherokee Center – Asheville in Asheville, N.C., which will run from March 3-7, please visit: www.soconhoops.com. If you would like to purchase tickets, please contact the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250.
