UNCG Women’s Basketball Falls to Kentucky, 82-56
LEXINGTON, Ky. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball’s Faith Price Powell led the Spartans with nine points as Nasia Powell put numbers in every category, with eight points, six rebounds, and four assists as the Spartans dropped a Sunday afternoon contest to the Kentucky Wildcats, 82-56.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both sides engaged in a fast-paced offensive showdown in the first 3:20 of the first quarter. The opening minutes of the game featured three ties and four lead changes. UNCG held an 11-9 lead three minutes into the contest. Khalis Cain made two field goals during the stretch as the Spartans opened the contest making four of their first five shots. UNCG extended its strong open shooting 6-of-9 from the field through four minutes as the Spartans kept the Kentucky lead at one, 14-13. The Wildcats closed on a 14-2 run to extend their lead to 15 at the end of the quarter.
Kentucky outscored the Spartans, 21-6 in the second quarter where the Wildcats posted a 61.5 percent field goal percentage. Anna Terron closed out the period on a positive note for the Spartans, making a layup with four seconds left in the period with Kentucky up, 48-21.
Powell opened the first three minutes of the third quarter with four points as the Spartans traded field goals with the Wildcats in the opening minutes. The Spartans held Kentucky scoreless for a 2:10 period of the quarter and produced back-to-back field goals thanks to a basket from Kennedy Simpson at the 8:12 mark and Powell’s pullup jumper with 6:58 remaining. Those field goals ignited a 12-4 run that lasted until the 1:45 mark of the period. Kentucky produced an 11-1 run in response that lasted until Faith Price hit a three-point field goal with six seconds left with the Wildcats holding a 68-39 lead.
Kentucky’s lead grew as large as 32 points in the fourth quarter with 5:40 remaining, but the Spartans posted a 7-2 run beginning at the 5:11 mark and lasting the next 2:54 thanks to two three-point field goals from Price. The Wildcats kept the lead intact for the remainder of the period to secure the win.
BY THE NUMBERS
· Price led the Spartans in scoring with nine points off the bench.
· Cain posted eight points and five rebounds.
· Powell accumulated a 4-of-9 effort from the field.
· Akira Wiggins led the Spartans with five assists and added two steals.
· Antoniette Emma-Nnopu added six points and five rebounds in 12 minutes off the bench.
· Nia Howard added six points and four rebounds.
· Kentucky held a 38-34 rebounding advantage, but the Spartans held a 22-14 edge on the offensive glass.
RECORDS
UNCG: 4-4
Kentucky: 6-1
UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to face Davidson Thursday at 7 p.m. inside Fleming Gym.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro