GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team dropped a close battle at ETSU on Thursday night, 54-51 in Brooks Gymnasium.
 
Three Spartans reached double figures in the game. Jayde Gamble paced the team with 15 points, while Isys Grady and Ayanna Khalfani followed closely behind with 10 points apiece.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bucs were able to get on the board first in the contest thanks to a jumper from Nevaeh Brown (2-0). UNCG claimed its first lead of the game from a 4-0 run all coming from Khalis Cain (6-4). With the Spartans up 8-7, the Bucs recorded a 4-0 run to take the lead (11-8) and hold it for the remainder of the first half.
 
Khalfani scored first in the second quarter to tie the game at 11 points apiece. However, ETSU was able to keep UNCG from taking the lead. A 5-0 run later on from UNCG cut the deficit to three (19-16). ETSU was able to close out the first half with a 3-0 run to hold the 27-20 advantage heading into the locker room.
 
Grady scored first in the second half with a jumper at 9:09, pulling the Spartans within five (27-22). ETSU responded with four points to take a 29-22 lead. The Spartans recorded a 12-4 run to take a 34-33 lead over the Bucs at 2:56. A couple free throws from Gamble ended the third frame with the Spartans on top, 41-39.
 
The fourth quarter was a close battle throughout, coming down to the wire. However, UNCG was able to hold the lead over ETSU until 2:33 left in the game (48-47). With the Spartans on top 49-48, the Bucs posted a 6-0 run for the 54-59 lead. Khalfani registered a layup in the final seconds of the game, but ETSU was able to pull away for the 54-51 win.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Khalfani led both teams with two blocks and added four assists.
• Antoniette Emma-Nnopu led the way with nine boards, adding five points.
• Cain paced the team with two steals.
• The Spartans went 10-for-13 at the free-throw line.
• UNCG collected 22 points in the paint and seven points off of ETSU's turnovers.

RECORDS
UNCG: 17-10, 6-6, SoCon
ETSU: 17-9, 6-5, SoCon
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will stay on the road to close out their regular season road schedule 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.

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