UNCG Women’s Basketball Set for First SoCon Road Trip
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team will begin The Southern Conference (SoCon) road slate by facing Mercer on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. and then Samford on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 3 p.m. EST / 2 p.m. CST.
Game Info vs. Mercer
Where: Macon Ga. | Hawkins Arena
When: Thursday, Jan. 18 | 7 p.m.
Watch: Live Stats | ESPN+
Tickets
Game Info vs. Samford
Where: Birmingham, Ala. | Pete Hanna Center
When: Saturday, Jan. 20 | 3 p.m. EST/2 p.m. CST
Watch: Live Stats | ESPN+
Tickets
LAST TIME OUT FOR UNCG
The Spartans most recently claimed a 70-55 victory over Furman on Saturday, Jan.13.
Jayde Gamble paced the Spartans with 13 points in Saturday’s matchup to the Paladins, while Isys Grady and Nia Howard followed closely behind with 12 points apiece. Ayanna Khalfani also stood out for the squad in double figures with 10 points.
Khalis Cain was two points shy of a double-double after leading the Spartans with 10 rebounds and adding eight points.
UNCG recorded 20 points from Furman’s turnovers.
The Spartans were granted 16 second chance points to Furman’s 14.
UNCG totaled nine fast break points, while Furman had none.
UNCG held the advantage for 27:58 of the game, while Furman only led for 8:40.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
UNCG will head to Mercer with a 13-4 overall record and 2-0 in SoCon action.
The Spartans currently stand at third place in the conference, behind Chattanooga and ETSU, respectively.
The Spartans are 11-0 at home, matching the 2001-02 season when UNCG also started off 11-0 at home.
UNCG currently ranks in the top 50 nationally in five categories: field goal percentage defense (35.7), rebound margin (6.5), offensive rebounds per game (14.5), scoring margin (14.4), three-point percentage defense (26.0).
In addition, the squad leads the SoCon in eight different categories: assist/turnover ratio, blocks per game, field goal percentage defense, scoring defense, scoring margin, steals per game, turnover margin and turnovers forced per game.
Gamble continues to stand out nationally at 10th in steals with 52 and 13th in steals per game with a 3.06 average.
Cain is currently ranked 23rd nationally with a 3.8 offensive rebounds per game average.
UNCG is outscoring its opponents 1,141 to 896 and outrebounding them 680 to 569.
Gamble leads the Spartans with 225 points this season after producing 12 double figure games out of the 17 played this season.
Grady and Khalfani follow closely behind with 170 and 167 points, respectively.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
The Bears head into Thursday’s contest with a 6-12 overall record and seventh in the conference.
Mercer most recently dropped its first two matches in SoCon play last week on the road at Chattanooga (66-57) and ETSU (77-71).
The Bears are second in the SoCon with a 74.0 free throw percentage and an 8.1 steals per game average.
Ashlee Locke is second in the conference with 24 blocks and a 1.33 blocks per game average.
Briana Peguero leads Mercer with 208 points this season.
Deja Williams stands out for the team from behind the arc with 35 three pointers.
Stacie Jones paces the Bears with 125 boards.
The Spartans and Bears played one similar opponent in the non-conference schedule in App State with both UNCG and Mercer dropping its contests in Boone.
SERIES HISTORY VS THE BEARS
Mercer holds the advantage in the overall series at 17-5. The two teams last met in the first round of the 2022-23 SoCon Tournament. UNCG claimed a thrilling overtime win over the Bears, 63-59 to give Head Coach Trina Patterson her 100th win at UNCG. Isys Grady and Nia Howard collected 14 points in the two team’s last contest.
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Samford currently stands at sixth place in the conference at 8-9 overall and 0-2 in SoCon action.
The Bulldogs dropped their first two SoCon contests last week on the road at ETSU (57-40) and at Chattanooga (75-52).
Samford is second in the conference with a 4.1 blocks per game average.
Emily Bowman stands out at 12th nationally with 45 blocks and a 2.65 blocks per game average. She is also second in the SoCon with 141 rebounds.
Lexie Pritchard ranks second in the conference with a 1.30 assist/turnover ratio.
Sadie Stetson stands out in three-point shooting for the Bulldogs. Stetson is second in the SoCon with a 45.2 three-point percentage, 38 three pointers and a 2.24 three-pointers per game average.
Carly Heidger leads the Bulldogs with 180 points on the season.
The Bulldogs and Spartans both played one similar opponent in the non-conference schedule with both earning wins over USC Upstate.
Samford will host Western Carolina on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. EST/6 p.m. CST before taking on the Spartans on Saturday, Jan. 20.
SERIES HISTORY VS THE BULLDOGS
UNCG trails in the overall series against Samford at 7-26. The Spartans dropped both regular season matches against the Bulldogs last season. The two teams most recently met in Greensboro, N.C., when Samford defeated UNCG, 75-68.
PURCHASE UNCG GEAR
UNCGgear.com is your one-stop shop for all of your official UNCG merchandise! From apparel to accessories, there is something for everyone!
UP NEXT
The Spartans will return to Fleming Gym next week to host Chattanooga on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. and ETSU on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1 p.m. To purchase tickets for any home games for the 2023-24 UNCG women’s basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.
Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro