UNCG Women’s Basketball Claws Past Western Carolina, 66-58

Women’s Basketball Claws Past Western Carolina, 66-58

CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team clawed past the Catamounts of Western Carolina on Saturday afternoon, 66-58, at the Liston B. Ramsey Regional Activity Center in Cullowhee, North Carolina.

Three Spartans reached double-figures in the game with Jayde Gamble leading the team with 17 points. Nya Smith followed closely behind with 16 points, while Khalis Cain registered her third double-double of the season and 18th of her career with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Heavy defense forced the Spartans and Catamounts to stay scoreless for the first 2:21 of Saturday’s contest. Western Carolina’s Avyonce Carter put the home team on the board first with a layup at 7:39. Later Smith tied things up with her own layup on the other end at 5:57, 2-2. Both teams traded baskets before Zanoria Cruz’ triple gave Western Carolina the 7-4 advantage. At 3:30, Smith drove in for two to pull UNCG back within one before the Catamounts recorded four consecutive points for the 11-6 lead at the end of the first quarter.

A free throw from Tasia Johnson following a layup from Cain cut the Spartans deficit to two, 11-9, to start the second frame. Western Carolina responded with an 8-2 run to take a 19-14 lead. Later, with the Catamounts holding an eight-point lead, 26-28, UNCG notched a 6-0 run to come back within two, 26-24. However, Western Carolina was able to widen its lead once again with five consecutive points, 31-24. A layup from Smith at 1:44 followed by a steal and buzzer-beating layup from Gamble made it a three-point game at the half, 31-28.

Nia Howard struck first out of the break with a layup to make it a one-point game, 31-30. Western Carolina continued to hold UNCG from taking the lead with three consecutive free throws. Both teams exchanged points at the charity stripe to close out the third stanza with Western Carolina maintaining the advantage, 51-46.

After Cruz chipped in a free throw to start the final quarter, a jumper from Gamble at 8:53 began an 8-0 run for the Spartans to take their first lead of the game, 54-52. UNCG maintained the lead for the remainder of the game after outscoring Western Carolina 20-7 in the fourth frame. Two free throws from Smith concluded the contest for the Spartans to secure the 66-58 victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

Jaila Lee chipped in eight points, while Howard notched six points.
Gamble led the game with four steals.
Smith paced the squad with two assists.
Cain, Gamble and Johnson each registered one block apiece.
Saturday’s game marked the 10th game this season that three or more Spartans registered double-figures.
It was Gamble’s 14th game, Smith’s 12th and Cain’s fifth game in double digits this season.
UNCG bested Western Carolina in points in the paint (36-30), points off turnovers (14-10), second chance points (9-0), fast break points (4-3) and bench points (20-14).
RECORDS
UNCG: 13-6, 4-1 SoCon
Western Carolina: 11-9, 1-4 SoCon

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UNCG Women’s Basketball Ticket Information
To secure your tickets for UNCG women’s basketball home games click HERE for options including single games, group discounts and full season ticket options. All 14 home games will be played on campus in Fleming Gymnasium. UNCG faculty/staff and students are free with their ID. To learn more about upcoming ticket promotions or to purchase over the phone call the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250.

UP NEXT
The Spartans return home to host Mercer on Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7:00 p.m. and Samford on Saturday, Feb. 1 at 2:00 p.m. in Fleming Gymnasium.

Thursday’s game against the Bears will be Military and First Responders Appreciation: Military and First responders receive free admission with valid work ID and up to four of their guests receive the discounted ticket rate of $5! Faculty and Staff Appreciation Game: UNCG fac/staff receive a free boxed lunch with RSVP to the game!

In Saturday’s game against the Bulldogs, Fleming Gymnasium will celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day! Girls ages 5-16 are encouraged to join the Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department and UNCG Center for Women’s Health and Wellness to celebrate National Girls and Women in Sports Day of Play on Feb. 1 at the UNCG Middle College Gymnasium. Participants 12 and under receive free admission to the game. Click here for more information on the event.

Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro

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