Women’s Basketball Drops Road Contest at Wofford, 66-60
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Despite outscoring Wofford 24-12 in the fourth quarter, the UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team dropped its contest to the Terriers, 66-60 on Saturday afternoon in the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.
Ayanna Khalfani paced the Spartans with 15 points. Antoniette Emma-Nnopu followed closely behind with a season high of 13 points and adding 11 rebounds for her second career double-double and first this season.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A layup from Nia Howard at 9:11 put the Spartans on the board first in the contest. Wofford’s Rachel Rose quickly responded from behind the arc to give the Terriers the 3-2 lead. Jumpers from Isys Grady and Khalfani gave UNCG the control over the Terriers again (6-3). The Spartans held the lead until the Terriers notched an 8-0 run to take a 16-10 advantage. With two seconds left, Rose recorded a jumper for Wofford to hold an 18-15 lead at the end of the first quarter.
The Spartans chipped in for a 6-2 run to come within one (22-21). Later on, a three-pointer from Kennedy Simpson tied the game at 24 points apiece. However, the Terriers bounced back with a 13-2 run (37-26). Emma-Nnopu earned the final two points on the court with 56 seconds left in the first half. Both teams headed to the locker room with Wofford in control, 37-28.
Emma-Nnopu scored first in the third frame until Wofford dropped eight unanswered points to take a 15-point lead (45-30). A driving layup from Rose closed out the third quarter with the Terriers up, 54-36.
The Spartans found their stride in the fourth quarter. Rose scored first with a three-pointer for Wofford. However, a layup from Jayde Gamble began an 18-2 run for the Spartans to come back within seven (59-52). Wofford came back to take an eight-point lead thanks to a pull-up from Annabelle Schultz (64-56). The Spartans kept fighting to cut the deficit to four with a 4-0 run (64-60). Wofford was able to close out the 66-60 victory with Rose at the free throw line.
BY THE NUMBERS
Khalfani and Khalis Cain followed behind Emma-Nnopu with five boards apiece.
Emma-Nnopu and Cain collected one block apiece.
Khalfani and Grady added two steals apiece.
Howard and Gamble tag teamed for eight points apiece.
The Spartans has 12 second chance points to the Terriers’ nine.
UNCG had 34 points in the paint, while Wofford only collected 20.
The Spartans collected 22 points off the bench to the Terriers’ 16.
RECORDS
UNCG: 15-9, 4-5, SoCon
Wofford: 17-8, 7-2, SoCon
UP NEXT
The Spartans will return home to take on Samford on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. and Mercer on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. in Fleming Gym.
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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Coutesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro