ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women's basketball team never allowed Furman to lead in its 64-44 win in The Southern Conference (SoCon) Quarterfinal matchup on Thursday at the Harrah's Cherokee Center to advance to the Semifinals.
 
Thursday's win marks the second consecutive year that UNCG has made it to  the SoCon Semifinals.
 
Four Spartans claimed doubles figures in the contest. Ayanna Khalfani led the way with 16 points, Jayde Gamble and Antoniette Emma-Nnopu followed closely behind with 15 points apiece, while Isys Grady recorded 11 points.

Emma-Nnopu recorded her second double-double of the season and her career after matching her career high of 15 points and adding 10 boards.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans started off the contest by recording a 10-2 run over Furman with all 10 points coming from Khalfani and Gamble. With the Spartans up 16-10, Furman was able to record a 7-2 run, cutting their deficit to one to close out the first frame, 18-17.
 
A layup from Emma-Nnopu at 9:11 sparked an 8-2 run for the Spartans to begin the second quarter (26-19). After Kelly Boyle gave UNCG an eight-point lead with a jumper (31-23), Furman's Jada Session responded with a free throw to close out the first half, 31-24.
 
The Spartans continued to outscore the Paladins in the third quarter, 15-9. UNCG came out of the locker room to tally an 8-3 run, taking the 12-point lead over the 'Dins (39-27). A three-pointer from Gamble closed out the third quarter with the Spartans holding the 46-33 lead.
 
A layup from Khalfani, followed by a jumper from Gamble started the final quarter. Furman was able to respond with six unanswered points to cut the deficit back to 11 (50-39). However, it wouldn't be enough to come back from UNCG's lead margin as the Spartans closed out the matchup with a 12-2 run. A layup and free-throw from Grady ended the quarterfinal contest, giving UNCG its biggest lead of the game in the 64-44 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

• Emma Nnopu recorded seven field goals for a new career high for the sophomore.
• Khalfani followed closely behind Emma-Nnopu with seven rebounds.
• Khalfani and Grady led the way with four dimes apiece.
• Khalfani paced the team with three dimes.
• Gamble led the Spartans with five steals.
• The Spartans scored 20 points from turnovers to the Paladins five.
• UNCG posted 17 points from the bench to Furman's seven.
• Thursday's game featured zero lead changes and was only tied for 13 seconds at 0-0.

RECORDS
UNCG: 20-10, 8-6, SoCon
Furman: 15-16, 5-9, SoCon
 
UP NEXT
The Spartans will face No. 3 Wofford Friday, March 8 at 1:15 p.m. in the SoCon Semifinals in Asheville, N.C., at the Harrah's Cherokee Center.

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