GREENSBORO, N.C. – After being down by 11 points at the end of the third quarter, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team rallied back to earn a 54-50 victory over ETSU on Saturday afternoon in Fleming Gym.
Ayanna Khalfani earned her fourth double-double of the season after leading UNCG with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Khalis Cain was one point shy of a double-double with nine points and 10 boards.
Jayde Gamble also added nine points and seven rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
At 8:40 in the first quarter, a second chance layup from Khalfani put the Spartans on the board first in the game. The Bucs responded with a 4-0 run to take their first lead of the game (4-2). Both teams continued to battle for the lead in the first quarter. With 15 seconds remaining, Khalfani drove in for a layup, but drew a foul instead. After making both free throws, UNCG trailed 12-10 to close out the first frame.
Two consecutive field goals from Gamble gave the Spartans a 14-12 lead over the Bucs to start off the second quarter. UNCG held ETSU from taking the lead until the Bucs' Breanne Beatty recorded a three-pointer with 4:27 remaining (17-16). A fast break layup from
Nasia Powell put the Spartans back on top (18-17). However, ETSU responded with four unanswered points to close out the first half on top, 21-18.
ETSU came out of the locker room and expanded its lead with a 6-2 run (27-20) to never allow UNCG to lead in the third quarter. With ETSU up 40-31, a three-pointer from
Kelly Boyle cut the deficit to six (40-34). The Bucs responded with a 5-0 run taking an 11-point advantage, (45-34) their largest of the game, to close out the third quarter.
The Spartans came out of the huddle ready to fight by outscoring the Bucs 20-5 in the final quarter. A three-pointer from Boyle started off the fourth frame to cut the deficit to eight (45-37). ETSU scored one more jumper before the Spartans posted a 12-0 run to take a 49-47 lead over the Bucs. ETSU never led again in the game. The Bucs began fouling during the final minute in hopes of gaining more points, but they were unsuccessful. One last free throw from Khalfani secured the 54-50 win for the Spartans.
BY THE NUMBERS
- Khalfani paced UNCG with five assists and four steals.
- Gamble followed closely behind with three assists and two steals.
- Boyle led UNCG at the three-point line after going 2-for-3 from behind the arc.
- UNCG recorded 32 points in the paint to ETSU's 20.
- The Spartans earned 14 points from their bench while the Bucs only had six.
- The Blue & Gold earned 15 second chance points, while ETSU had 11.
RECORDS
UNCG: 14-7, 3-3, SoCon
ETSU: 14-6, 3-2, SoCon
UP NEXT
The Spartans will take a one-game road trip to Cullowhee, N.C., to take on Western Carolina on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 2 p.m. in the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center.
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.
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
