Western Carolina Gets Past Women’s Basketball, 78-71
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team took a 78-71 loss at Western Carolina on Saturday in the Ramsey Center to close out the first half of The Southern Conference (SoCon) action.
Three Spartans scored double figures in the game. Jayde Gamble led both teams with 21 points, Ayanna Khalfani followed closely behind with 18 points, while Kelly Boyle chipped in for a career high of 15 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts began the contest with a 4-0 run to never allow UNCG to lead in the game. With the Spartans down by four, Gamble notched a three-pointer at 7:20 to come within one (4-3). The Catamounts responded with seven unanswered points to gain an 11-3 lead over the Spartans. With 23 seconds remaining in the first frame, Western Carolina’s Zanoria Cruz recorded a layup to close it out on top, 17-12.
After the Catamounts started off the second quarter with a layup (19-12), UNCG responded with an 8-2 run to pull within one (21-20). The second quarter continued to remain close, but with the Catamounts in control. Western Carolina closed out the first half with a 4-0 run to head into the locker room up, 34-29.
Western Carolina widened its lead in the third quarter by outscoring the Spartans 24-13. The Catamounts were able to close out the third frame with a 6-0 run for a 58-42 lead over the Spartans.
UNCG found its stride in the final frame to outscore the Catamounts 29-20. A layup from Boyle started a 6-0 run for the Spartans in the final quarter to cut the deficit 10 (58-48). However, Western Carolina responded with a 5-0 to run to widen its lead once again. With 1:33 remaining in the game, a layup from Khalfani began an 11-0 run for the Spartans to make it a two-possession game (74-69). However, Western Carolina was able to close out the game at the free throw line for the 78-71 win.
BY THE NUMBERS
Khalis Cain paced the Spartans with eight boards.
UNCG recorded 24 points from turnovers to Western Carolina’s 13.
The Spartans posted 21 second chance points to the Catamounts seven.
UNCG notched 24 bench points to Western Carolina’s 16.
RECORDS
UNCG: 14-8, 3-4, SoCon
Western Carolina: 6-16, 1-6, SoCon
UP NEXT
UNCG will head to Spartanburg, S.C., to take on Furman on Thursday, Feb. 8 at 7 p.m. and Wofford on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m.
TICKETS
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.
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Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro