GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team dominated in a 61-30 victory over South Carolina State in its home opener on Saturday.
 
The last time the Spartans held a team at 30 or below was last season in a 134-29 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans began Saturday's match by claiming a 17-0 run over the Bulldogs that was all started with a jumper from Ayanna Khalfani at 9:19. UNCG held South Carolina State from getting on the board until the final seconds of the first period with two made free-throws from the Bulldogs' Rakyha Reid to close out the first quarter, 17-2.
 
The Spartans continued to outscore the Bulldogs 20-7 in the second quarter. A final three-pointer from Nia Howard at 2:38 gave UNCG a 37-9 lead going into the break.
 
South Carolina State scored 11 points in the third quarter, the most by the Bulldogs in a frame. The Spartans were still able to drop 15 points, after capitalizing on a 66.7 three-point percentage, their highest of the game to stay ahead 52-20. 
 
The final quarter was the only one in which South Carolina State outscored the Spartans, 10-9. Despite this, a made three-pointer from Isys Grady at 6:27 gave the Spartans its biggest lead of the game with a 37-point margin (57-20).

BY THE NUMBERS

• Jayde Gamble led both teams in scoring with 13 points, where nine of those points came from behind the arc. Gamble's three made three-pointers was a new career game high.
• Grady followed closely behind with nine points.
• Gamble also landed on top with seven steals, matching her career high.
• Khalis Cain posted 11 rebounds on the day.
• Jay'lin Hastings recorded two blocks, matching her career high which she first achieved against Western Carolina last season.
• Joelle Davis notched a new career game high of eight points for the freshman.
• Yacine N'Diaye made her collegiate debut in Saturday's game by recording two rebounds and one block.
• UNCG scored 28 points from turnovers to South Carolina State's 10.
• The Spartans earned 21 points from their bench, while the Bulldogs only saw 18 from theirs.

RECORDS
UNCG: 1-1
South Carolina State: 0-2
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will continue at home by hosting Pfeiffer on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. on Fleming Gymnasium. Tuesday's game will be education day to give local children the opportunity to watch the Spartans in action. Tickets to all UNCG women's basketball home games can be purchased here.