GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men's basketball team's second-half comeback attempt fell short in a 71–65 loss to cross-town rival North Carolina A&T on Tuesday night at First Horizon Coliseum. 
 
KJ Younger led the way for the Spartans with 17 points, going 6-for-12 from the field. He was followed by Noah Norgaard with 16 points and was backed up with double-doubles from Justin Neely and Valentino Pinedo.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED 
The Aggies started off with a 7-2 run to begin the game before back-to-back layups from Pinedo and Neely cut the deficit to, 7-6. However, that was as close as the Spartans could reach, as multiple runs from NC A&T extended the lead throughout the first half. Younger closed out the first half for the Blue & Gold with two made free throws to go into halftime down, 38-20.  

Coming out of the break, the Spartans started the second half hot from behind the arc, knocking down three three-points to cut the lead down to 43-33 at the 17:40 mark. The UNCG offense continued to roll as a free throw made by Pinedo tied the game at 49-49 with 10:49 remaining. The back-and-forth battle continued as UNCG took the lead, 58-57, with a jumper from Younger at the 6:16 mark. However, the Aggies regained the advantage, 62-60, with 4:13 remaining and did not relinquish the lead. The Spartans kept it close as time ran down when Donald Whitehead Jr. cut the deficit to two after launching a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining, 67-65. However, NC A&T iced the remainder of the game by knocking down its free throws to put the final score at 71-65.  
 
BY THE NUMBERS 

• Neely now has 13 double-doubles in his career with six so far this season. 

• Pinedo logged his fourth double-double of his career and first of the season.  

• The Aggies had the slight advantage in field goal percentage (38%-37%), while the Spartans held the edge in three-point percentage (32%-29%). 

• The Aggies led in points in the paint (24-22), bench points (17-2) and rebounds (48-37). 

• UNCG had the edge in points off turnovers (13-5) and steals (5-2).  

RECORDS 
UNCG: 3-9 
North Carolina A&T: 6-4 
 
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UP NEXT 
UNCG continues its five-game homestand with Virginia University of Lynchburg on Sunday, Dec. 21 at Bodford Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.