Women’s Basketball Downs Samford, 52-44
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team earned a 52-44 victory over Samford on Thursday night in Fleming Gym to improve to 13-1 at home.
Ayanna Khalfani notched her sixth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 boards. Isys Grady tied with Khalfani to record 13 points, adding six rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A second-chance jumper from Grady gave UNCG the first edge in the contest (2-0). Samford was able to reply with six unanswered points for its best run in the entire game. The Bulldogs held the advantage for the majority of the first period. However, Antoniette Emma-Nnopu went on a 4-0 scoring run with 1:20 left to give UNCG the 14-12 lead heading into the break.
The Spartans continued to hold the lead for the rest of the first half, despite an even second period (11-11). With UNCG up 25-20, a three-point play from Samford’s Masyn Marchbanks brought the Bulldogs back within two (25-23) at halftime.
After coming out of the locker room with a 7-2 run, UNCG was able to outscore Samford 18-10 in the third quarter. With 4:38 left in the third frame, the Spartans notched a 9-0 run that was ended with a step back jumper from Jayde Gamble to give UNCG its biggest lead of the game (43-29). Samford added four more points at the end of the quarter for both teams to head to bench with UNCG on top, 43-33.
Samford found its stride again in the fourth quarter, coming out of the huddle to drop a 9-0 run, cutting the deficit to one (43-42). A three-pointer from Grady, followed by a turnaround jumper from Khalfani widened the Spartans lead to six (48-42). Gamble closed out the game for the Spartans at the charity line with four consecutive free throws for the 52-44 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS
Gamble followed closely behind Grady and Khalfani with eight points.
Khalfani also led the Spartans with five assists.
Khalfani, Grady and Kennedy Simpson paced the team with two steals.
The Spartans went 21-for-54 in field goals.
UNCG shot 70 percent from the free-throw line.
RECORDS
UNCG: 16-9, 5-5, SoCon
Samford: 11-14, 3-7, SoCon
UP NEXT
The Spartans will stay at home to host 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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Courtesy of Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro