Fitch Records Double-Double, UNCG Men’s Basketball Falls to UIC, 82-72
CHICAGO, ILL. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team cut into a 20-point second-half deficit, but UIC came out on top to earn an 82-72 non-conference win on Monday at Credit Union 1 Arena.
Zavier Fitch led the Spartans with 13 points and 13 rebounds, earning his first double-double of the season and third of his career. Cameron Grant and RJ Greer scored 12 points apiece, while Dionte Neal and Jon Mani added 10 each. This was the third-straight game where at least four Spartans tallied double figures.
HOW IT HAPPENED
UNCG opened with a strong perimeter attack, making six three-pointers in the first half. Grant and Mani each hit two, as the Spartans built a nine-point lead, 14-5. UIC worked its way back and the teams traded the lead before UIC went into the break ahead 33-32.
The Flames scored the first seven points of the second half to extend their lead to 39-32. The Spartans answered with baskets from Greer and Neal, but UIC continued to respond with makes of its own and pushed the advantage to 58-40 with 10:50 left in the half.
UNCG made a late push, as Brock Mishak and Grant drained threes during a 7-1 run, bringing the Spartans within 13, 67-54, with 6:30 left on the clock. UIC maintained a double-digit lead until an and-one play from Greer and a three-pointer from Charles Barnes closed the deficit to nine, 73-64, with 4:05 remaining. Both teams converted free throws down the stretch, but UIC would come out on top with the 10-point victory, 82-72.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
Fitch recorded the Spartans’ first double-double of the season, with season-best points and rebounds.
UIC had the advantage in field goal percentage (44.1-40.0), while UNCG had the edge in three-point percentage (34.4-28.0) and free throw percentage (100-82.1).
UNCG’s perfect percentage from the free-throw line is the first since March 6, 2026, when the Spartans went 10-for-10 against VMI.
Neal dished out a game-high seven assists, matching his season best.
Barnes scored a career-best nine points.
Grant made a career-best four three-pointers.
Five Spartans combined for UNCG’s 13-for-13 at the charity stripe, where Neal and Barnes went 4-for-4.
UNCG’s 16 offensive rebounds and 17 assists are the most this season.
RECORDS
UNCG: 1-2
UIC: 3-0
UNCG BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
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WHAT’S NEXT
The Spartans will host Lees-McRae on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. inside Bodford Arena. This game will be Military/First Responder Appreciation Day and there will be free Zaxby’s for UNCG students while supplies last.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro