Grit Fuels UNCG Men’s Basketball’s Comeback in Overtime, 88-80
GREENVILLE, S.C. – In a battle of the two second-place teams, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team ended up on top with an 88-80 overtime victory against Furman at Timmons Arena on Saturday.
The Spartans remain undefeated on the road in Southern Conference (SoCon) play with a 4-0 record.
The 5-1 record in SoCon play matches the start from the 2018-19 season.
Five from UNCG registered double figures including Keyshaun Langley(Southwest Guilford High School) who led the game with 23 points. Keondre Kennedy was second with 17 points, Mikeal Brown-Jones scored 15 points, while Bas Leyte and Mohammed Abdulsalam dropped 14 and 11 points, respectively. This is the fifth time this season where four or more Spartans scored double digits.
Keondre reached the 1,000-point career milestone, as his 17 puts him over with 1,007.
From Kennedy a big win on the road
“We didn’t quit and we showed what type of team we are. We were struggling a little bit, but with five guys in double figures it shows that everyone is just getting going. Keyshaun is really hot right now, Bas is working every single day, we are all just working every day to get better. You can tell by tonight that we want it.”
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNCG took its first lead of the game with a three-pointer from Keyshaun Langley, 3-2 just 34 seconds into the first half. Furman hit a basket before UNCG went on a nine-point run, 12-4, including a long ball from behind the arc from Keondre Kennedy. The Paladins continued to fight all half coming within one, 19-20, at the 8:21 mark. Furman tied the game for the first time with a three pointer from Marcus Foster, 24-24. The two teams followed the energy of packed house as the lead toggled for the remainder of the frame. Mohammed Abdulsalam finished an and-one play with two seconds left to head to the locker room with a two-point lead, 40-38.
Furman held the advantage in most of the second half, as UNCG held the lead for one possession at 18:53, 42-40. There were four tied scores in the frame, including the end of regulation with both teams totaling 77. After Keyshaun hit back-to-back free throws to tie the game with 13 seconds left, Furman took the ball down the court and Kennedy was there to deny Mike Bothwell’s jumper right at the low block to force overtime.
The Paladins’ Jalen Slawson put Furman up by one with a free throw in the first 20 seconds of overtime, 78-77. UNCG went on an 11-2 run, keeping Furman from making a jumper in the frame. The Paladins’ other two points were off free throws from Foster.
From Head Coach Mike Jones
“It was a heck of an environment, high quality opponent, high level basketball game. I am really proud of the guys for not stopping until the horn went off. We played tough physically, mentally, and emotionally when it really counted. We didn’t do it all game long and Furman had the confidence coming out of halftime. We just stayed the course and I thought our internal leadership, particularly with Dante was phenomenal.”
“We are just looking to build momentum with the four-game home stand. We talk about stacking days and we just want to get better the next day when we take the floor in practice and keep building. We want to celebrate this one tonight, but when it’s time to get back to work, we have to continue to get better.”
“Kobe Langley(Southwest Guilford High School), he changed the game down the stretch. Defensively, he did a great job not only one-on-one on his man, but team wise and came up with three straight steals down the stretch. That gave us a big boost because we believe in him to be a really good defensive player for us.”
BY THE NUMBERS
Keyshaun’s 23 points was a game-high.
Leyte, Abdulsalam, and Dante Treacy all had seven rebounds each to lead the team.
Kobe Langley had a game high six assists and four steals.
Keyshaun had three steals.
The Spartans edged the Paladins in fast break points (9-0), points from the bench (15-9), and points off turnovers (17-16).
UNCG outrebounded Furman 36-33.
UNCG also shot 50-percent from behind the arc, compared to Furman’s 34.6-percent.
RECORDS
UNCG: 11-8, 5-1 SoCon
Furman: 13-6, 4-2 SoCon
UP NEXT
The Spartans return to Greensboro for a four-game home stand, hosting The Citadel (Jan. 19), Mercer (Jan. 21), VMI (Jan. 25), and Furman (Jan. 29).
On Jan. 19 vs. The Citadel, UNCG will host its Blue Out. All fans are encouraged to wear blue. The first 1000 students will receive a free t-shirt.
On Jan. 21, it is Scout Night. Scouts will receive free admission as well as a free patch.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro