UNCG Men’s Basketball Comes Up Short Against SMU, 81-68

UNCG Men’s Basketball Comes Up Short Against SMU, 81-68
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DALLAS, Texas – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team fell to Atlantic Coast Conference foe SMU, 81-68, on Monday night in Moody Coliseum in its first road test of the season.

Kenyon Giles contributed a game- and season-high 21 points. Both Malik Henry and Ronald Polite III each tallied season-bests. Henry registered 14 points, while Polite had 12 points.

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Attached photo of Malik Henry (credit Denise Archetto)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans scored five-straight points to start the game with a layup from Jalen Breath and a three-pointer from Giles. SMU went on a 14-2 run for a 14-7 lead with 15:40 left in the half. Henry dropped two-straight hammers, closing the deficit to three, 14-11. UNCG took the lead back with 9:12 on the clock after an 8-1 run for a 21-19 advantage. The Spartans stayed within single digits to close the first half as SMU went to the locker room with the six-point advantage, 41-35.

UNCG’s 6-3 run, which was concluded by a Giles three-pointer, cut the deficit to three, 44-41, but SMU scored 10-straight points to go up 12, 53-41. The Mustangs kept the double-digit lead until Polite III’s layup at 5:06 trimmed the deficit to nine, 65-56. SMU climbed to its highest advantage of 19 at 2:54, 78-59, after a three-pointer from B.J. Edwards. UNCG concluded the game with a 9-3 run, but SMU took the win at the buzzer, 81-68.

BY THE NUMBERS
Giles had three steals and shot 52.9-percent (9-for-17) from field goal range.
Henry went 4-for-4 in field goals and 6-for-8 from the charity stripe.
Miles Jones paced the game and matched his career best of eight rebounds.
Joryam Saizonou handed out a team-high four assists.
Breath chipped in nine points and five rebounds.
SMU outmatched UNCG in fast break points, 13-5, points off turnovers, 19-12, points in the paint, 34-28, and second-chance points, 16-6.
RECORDS
UNCG: 1-1
SMU: 3-0

TICKETS
To secure your tickets for UNCG men’s basketball home games click HERE for options including single games and group discounts, flex plans, and full season ticket options. The home basketball schedule includes eight (8) home games at First Horizon Coliseum and Six (6) home games at Fleming Gymnasium. To learn more about upcoming ticket promotions or to purchase over the phone call the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250.

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 Greensboro and host North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday, Nov. 16 at 1:00 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium as part of a doubleheader with the women hosting Appalachian State at 3:30 p.m.

For the men’s game, tickets have a buy one, get one free promotion and the men’s ticket will get you into the women’s game for free! There will also be Operation Christmas Child Donation Drive!

Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro