GREENSBORO, N.C.  – After four Spartans earned double figures, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team claimed a 70-55 victory over Furman on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gym.
 
UNCG is now 11-0 at home, matching the 2001-02 season when the Spartans also started off 11-0 at home. In addition, Saturday's win grants UNCG a 2-0 start in The Southern Conference (SoCon) schedule.
 
Jayde Gamble paced the Spartans with 13 points in Saturday's matchup to the Paladins, while Isys Grady and Nia Howard followed closely behind with 12 points apiece. Ayanna Khalfani also stood out for the squad in double figures with 10 points.  

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Paladins gained an early advantage in Saturday's contest with a 9-2 run over the Spartans. However, with Furman up 11-4, the Spartans recorded a 7-0 run that was ended with a three-pointer from Gamble to tie the game up (11-11). Furman continued to hold the advantage for the visiting team to close out the first frame with a one-point lead (16-15) over UNCG.
 
The Spartans came out of the huddle to put up a 6-0 run to take their first lead of the game (21-16). After Furman took the lead again (25-23) in the third frame, a three-pointer from Grady began a 10-0 run for the Spartans (33-25) for their best scoring run of the game. One more layup from Furman's Kate Johnson closed out the first half with the Spartans in control by six, 33-27.
 
UNCG came out of the locker room to drop an early 9-2 run over Furman (42-29) to never allow the Paladins to lead again in the second half. Khalfani threw a pass down the court to Howard who made a fast break layup putting the Spartans on top 52-40 with eight seconds left in the third.

The Spartans continued to dominate in the final quarter by outscoring the Paladins 18-15. With 1:07 remaining in the game, a smooth step back jumper from Gamble gave the Spartans their biggest lead of the day with a 19-point advantage over Furman (70-51). One more bucket from Furman's Niveya Henley with 56 seconds remaining put the final score at 70-55 for UNCG to come out on top.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Khalis Cain was two points shy of a double-double after leading the Spartans with 10 rebounds and adding eight points.
• Cain also led UNCG with two blocks adding to her UNCG career program record, she stands atop the program with 135 blocks in her career.
• Khalfani came just in behind Cain with seven boards and led UNCG with six assists.
• UNCG recorded 20 points from Furman's turnovers.
• The Spartans were granted 16 second chance points to Furman's 14.
• UNCG totaled nine fast break points, while Furman had none.
• UNCG held the advantage for 27:58 of the game, while Furman only led for 8:40.
• The Spartans shot 45.2 percent from field goals.

RECORDS
UNCG: 13-4, 2-0, SoCon
Furman: 11-7, 1-1, SoCon
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will continue in SoCon action on the road at Mercer on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. and at Samford on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. EST / 2 p.m. CST. To purchase tickets for any home games for the  2023-24 UNCG women's basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.

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