GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team won its sixth home victory of the season over The Southern Conference (SoCon) preseason favorite and reigning champions, the Furman Paladins, 79-68, Wednesday night at the Greensboro Coliseum.
 
Four Spartans tallied double figures, including Donovan Atwell and Keyshaun Langley leading the charge with 17 points each. Mikeal Brown-Jones tallied his third-career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Joryam Saizonou chipped in 13 points.
 
This was the 10^th game this season, where three or more Spartans recorded double-digit points. The 6-0 start at home matches the start of the 2018-19 season, when UNCG went 7-0.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans held the lead until 16:35 in the first half, when Furman's Carter Whitt drained a three pointer for a 9-8 advantage. UNCG's offense kept the deficit within single digits for the next nine minutes. The Spartans then went on a 13-0 run started by a three-pointer from Donovan Atwell at 7:36 for an eight-point lead, 31-24. The Paladins looked to climb out of the hole, but the Spartans concluded the half with a layup by Jalen Breath for a four-point cushion, 37-33. This is the ninth game this season that UNCG has led at the half.
 
The Spartans never trailed and dominated the floor in the second half shooting 59.26-percent from field goal range and 70-percent from behind the arc. UNCG extended the gap to a double-figure lead for the first time in the game at 16:41. With 12:55 left on the clock, Saizonou splashed his second three pointer of the game, which initiated a 13-5 run by the Spartans for their largest lead of the game, 66-50. Seven of those 13 points came from Saizonou. Furman closed the gap to nine points with 2:39 remaining, but UNCG continued shooting and secured the game with an 11-point win, 79-68. This is the sixth game this season winning by double digits.

BY THE NUMBERS

• This was the 10^th game this season that Keyshaun has scored double-figures.
• Kobe Langley registered seven points, as well as a game-high of seven assists and four steals.
• Saizonou's 13 points is a new season high.
• Jalen Breath added seven points and six rebounds.
• The Spartans tallied 11 fast-break points, while Furman had none.
• UNCG's 38 points in the paint topped Furman's 22.
• The Spartans registered 20 points off turnovers compared to the Paladins' three.
• UNCG was outmatched in second-chance points, 21-13.
• UNCG shot 50-percent from behind the arc, making it the fourth time this season shooting 50 or better.

RECORDS
UNCG: 10-4, 1-0 SoCon
Furman: 6-8, 0-1 SoCon
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans follow this game by hosting ETSU on Saturday, January 6 at the Greensboro Coliseum at 4:00 p.m. This will be our youth sports night, where kids who where their youth team's jersey will receive FREE admission.
 
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!
 
TICKETS
To purchase tickets for the 2023-24 UNCG men's basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.