GREENSBORO, N.C. – Head Coach Trina Patterson earned her 300^th career win on Saturday afternoon as the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team claimed a dominating 69-49 victory over Mercer.

Jayde Gamble led both teams with 22 points. Ayanna Khalfani recorded her seventh double-double this season after registering 17 points and 10 boards. Khalfani was only four assists shy of a triple-double after leading the team with six dimes.

HOW IT HAPPENED
A layup from Khalfani at 9:44 led the Spartans to start off the contest with a 9-0 run to never allow Mercer to lead in the game. With 2:44 left in the first quarter, Gamble recorded a jumper, giving the Spartans the 19-6 lead over the Bears. Mercer was able to cut the deficit back to six after going on a 7-0 scoring run to close out the first frame, 19-13.
 
After Mercer's Ashlee Locke recorded a second chance layup to start off the second quarter, UNCG chipped in for a 16-1 run, holding the Bears to only three points in the frame. Both teams headed to the locker room with UNCG holding a 35-16 lead over Mercer.
 
The Bears came out of the break to record a 4-0 run, which the Spartans quickly responded to by dropping six unanswered points of their own (41-20). UNCG was able to outscore Mercer in the third quarter, 24-16 to head into the final frame on top, 59-32.
 
The fourth quarter was the only one in which the Bears were able to outscore the Spartans (17-10). However, with the margin already in favor of UNCG, the squad would be able to walk away unfazed, coming away with the 20-point win, 69-49.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Kelly Boyle recorded a career high of two steals.
• Jay'lin Hastings followed closely behind Khalfani with 10 rebounds.
• Khalfani also led the Spartans with three blocks.
• UNCG had 38 points in the paint to Mercer's 24.
• The Spartans had 11 points off of turnovers to the Bears' eight.

RECORDS
UNCG: 17-9, 6-5, SoCon
Mercer: 11-16, 5-6, SoCon
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will conclude their 2024 regular season road schedule by taking on ETSU on Thursday, Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in Johnson City, Tenn. Followed by a matchup at Chattanooga on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

TICKETS
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!