Samford Edges UNCG Men’s Basketball in Battle of Top Two Teams
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – In a Southern Conference (SoCon) battle between two first-place teams, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team saw three tally double-digit points in an 83-71 loss to Samford on Wednesday at the Pete Hanna Center.
Keondre Kennedy led the team with 18 points. Keyshaun Langley(Southwest Guilford High School) was second with 17 points, while Donovan Atwell had 11 points. Mohammed Abdulsalam paced UNCG with a game-high 13 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans held a 3-2 advantage, until the Bulldogs splashed back-to back three pointers for a five-point lead at 16:44, 8-3. UNCG tied the game at 15, as Kennedy drained a three pointer at 7:23. Samford then saw its largest lead of six in the first half following an 11-5 run, 26-20. A 10-0 run by the Spartans concluded the first half, as they headed to the locker room with a three-point lead, 29-26. This was their 23rd game this season with a lead at the half.
The Spartans maintained the lead for 14 minutes of the second half, with their largest lead of 12 in the game at 11:30 in the frame, 50-38. Four of UNCG’s 13 three pointers came in that time, as well as a Bas Leyte dunk at 13:55. A 15-6 run by the Bulldogs cut the deficit to three, 53-56. Kennedy made three-straight free throws after being fouled in the process of shooting behind the arc, putting the Spartans up six, 59-53. A 19-4 run for Samford gave it a nine-point lead, 72-63. Bubba Parham made three-straight free throws for Samford’s own 12-point lead, 80-68, with 1:02 left. Atwell put away a three pointer with 54-seconds remaining, but Samford’s defense and three more made free throws decided the result with a 12-point win, 83-71, in favor of the Bulldogs.
BY THE NUMBERS
This was the seventh game with double-digit three pointers made (13).
UNCG had 22 second-chance points, compared to Samford’s 11.
The Spartans’ bench scored 20 points, compared to the Bulldogs’ 11.
Dante Treacy scored nine points, had seven rebounds, and two steals.
The Spartans outrebounded the Bulldogs, 45-33.
Bas Leyte had two blocks, seven points, one steal, two assists, and three rebounds.
RECORDS
UNCG: 18-10, 12-3 SoCon
Samford: 19-9, 13-2 SoCon
UP NEXT
The Spartans turn around and play Chattanooga in Tennessee on Saturday, February 18 at McKenzie Arena in their next Southern Conference game. The contest will tip off at noon and will be broadcast on the CBS Sports Network.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro