GREENVILLE, S.C. – Bas Leyte was everywhere for the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team in the final minute during its pulsating 58-56 victory against Furman in a heated Southern Conference contest at Bon Secours Wellness Arena Saturday.
Trailing by a point after being buried beneath an avalanche of 18 straight Furman points, Leyte made a steal, grabbed a key rebound, and made three foul shots in the final 32.9 seconds to make it a happy ending for the Spartans. He was UNCG's anchor during the Furman storm, remaining as cool as a scoop of ice cream when it mattered most.
In finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds, Leyte's first career double-double helped UNCG terminate Furman's five-game winning streak. He wasn't done. The 6-foot, 9-inch forward from the Netherlands also established career-highs with three assists and three blocked shots.
By the time Furman's final shot attempt as the buzzer sounded missed its mark, the fans, who had been louder than a jet engine just moments earlier, quietly exited. The only voices following the win were from jubilant UNCG players shouting (or exhaling) as they jumped into each other's arms near center court.
De'Monte Buckingham scored 10 of his 12 points in the second half to lead UNCG.
Kaleb Hunter added 10 points. Hunter and
Miles Jones collected six rebounds each for UNCG, which snapped a two-game skid.
Records
UNCG 13-10 overall, 5-6 SoCon
Furman 17-8, 9-3
Quotable
Mike Jones on the victory.
"It's a really good win. I thought our guys fought and dug hard like we've been doing all year. I liked the way we competed. I thought we were gritty and tough all game but particularly down the stretch when it seemed like the game was slipping away. But what do you expect from a team in first place on its home floor? They're going to fight for it. We didn't back down. We made the tough plays down the stretch to finish it. Proud of the guys for doing that."
Jones on Leyte.
"He's a tough dude, man. He has great IQ and we love having him out there. He's versatile when he is out there. He has played with a clear mind all season and he's had a good season. It's nice to see him get rewarded with a game like this."
Leyte on his performance down the stretch.
"It was frustrating for sure because we gave up such a large lead and it felt like we were almost in panic mode. We had lost our last two games and I just wanted to win so I focused on doing the things my team needed me to do. The part that got me the ball at the end (on the steal) was myself and Buck going hard to the offensive glass and getting us a second-chance opportunity.
How It Happened
- Leyte's foul shots were the only points UNCG scored in the final 6:25 as its 17-point bulge disappeared.
- Leyte took control after Furman's Garrett Hien's 3-pointer gave the Paladins a 56-55 advantage with 59 seconds remaining.
- When Hien's 3-pointer swished through the net, purple-shirted fans in the arena went berserk, unleashing a Niagara of noise that almost drowned the Spartans.
- Furman played with a frenzy of ferocity during its 18-0 run fueled by six UNCG turnovers.
- Mohammed Abdulsalam scored on a putback to give UNCG a 55-38 lead with 6:25 remaining.
- Hunter enjoyed a memorable 27-second sequence when he sank a 3-pointer, made a steal, and dunked to swell UNCG's lead to 46-31 with 11:28 remaining.
- Buckingham surpassed the 1,500-point plateau for his career with a basket at 1:04 p.m. Eastern Standard Time that helped UNCG expand its lead to 39-27 with 16:26 remaining.
- In helping UNCG's lead expand to 37-22, Leyte gave a sneak peek of his powers to begin the second half when he grabbed two offensive rebounds, delivered a nice pass to Buckingham, who made a 3-pointer, and scored on UNCG's next offensive possession.
- The first half belonged to Jones, who's energetic performance of six points and six rebounds helped UNCG lead 32-22 at intermission.
- Jones threw down a thunderous dunk off a nice pass from Leyte early in the first half.
Inside the Numbers
- UNCG held its 10th opponent under 60 points this season.
- Furman, which averages 79 points per game, was limited to 23 points below its season average.
- The Paladins entered the game leading the country in 3-pointers made per game and total 3-pointers.
- Furman was 6-of-28 from 3-point distance and made 30 percent of its shots for the game (19-for-63).
- The Spartans finished with 41 rebounds, the most they had in a game since they grabbed 40 at VMI on Jan. 8.
- This was the eighth time this season and ninth time in his career that Leyte scored double-figures in points.
- Buckingham reached double digits for the 18th time this season and the 77th time in his career.
- He has 1,506 career points.
- Buckingham has scored in double figures in the second half seven times this season.
- UNCG won the battle of the benches for the 10th consecutive game.
- Mike Bothwell scored a game-high 18 points for the Paladins.
- Also, for Furman, Marcus Foster collected 10 points and Jalen Swanson added nine points along with 12 rebounds.
Up Next
- UNCG visits Western Carolina Monday at 7 p.m.
Leyte's Final Word
"We stuck to our principles and worked together as a team to get this win today. I am proud of us for playing hard today and how well we guarded."
