UNCG Men’s Basketball Defeats SoCon Preseason Favorite Furman, 79-68
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) men’s basketball team won its sixth home victory of the season over The Southern Conference (SoCon) preseason favorite and reigning champions, the Furman Paladins, 79-68, Wednesday night at the Greensboro Coliseum.
Four Spartans tallied double figures, including Donovan Atwell and Keyshaun Langley(Southwest Guilford HS) leading the charge with 17 points each. Mikeal Brown-Jones tallied his third-career double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Joryam Saizonou chipped in 13 points.
This was the 10th game this season, where three or more Spartans recorded double-digit points. The 6-0 start at home matches the start of the 2018-19 season, when UNCG went 7-0.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Spartans held the lead until 16:35 in the first half, when Furman’s Carter Whitt drained a three pointer for a 9-8 advantage. UNCG’s offense kept the deficit within single digits for the next nine minutes. The Spartans then went on a 13-0 run started by a three-pointer from Donovan Atwell at 7:36 for an eight-point lead, 31-24. The Paladins looked to climb out of the hole, but the Spartans concluded the half with a layup by Jalen Breath for a four-point cushion, 37-33. This is the ninth game this season that UNCG has led at the half.
The Spartans never trailed and dominated the floor in the second half shooting 59.26-percent from field goal range and 70-percent from behind the arc. UNCG extended the gap to a double-figure lead for the first time in the game at 16:41. With 12:55 left on the clock, Saizonou splashed his second three pointer of the game, which initiated a 13-5 run by the Spartans for their largest lead of the game, 66-50. Seven of those 13 points came from Saizonou. Furman closed the gap to nine points with 2:39 remaining, but UNCG continued shooting and secured the game with an 11-point win, 79-68. This is the sixth game this season winning by double digits.
BY THE NUMBERS
This was the 10th game this season that Keyshaun has scored double-figures.
Kobe Langley(Southwest Guilford HS) registered seven points, as well as a game-high of seven assists and four steals.
Saizonou’s 13 points is a new season high.
Jalen Breath added seven points and six rebounds.
The Spartans tallied 11 fast-break points, while Furman had none.
UNCG’s 38 points in the paint topped Furman’s 22.
The Spartans registered 20 points off turnovers compared to the Paladins’ three.
UNCG was outmatched in second-chance points, 21-13.
UNCG shot 50-percent from behind the arc, making it the fourth time this season shooting 50 or better.
RECORDS
UNCG: 10-4, 1-0 SoCon
Furman: 6-8, 0-1 SoCon
UP NEXT
The Spartans follow this game by hosting ETSU on Saturday, January 6 at the Greensboro Coliseum at 4:00 p.m. This will be our youth sports night, where kids who where their youth team’s jersey will receive FREE admission.
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TICKETS
To purchase tickets for the 2023-24 UNCG men’s basketball season, click here to learn more or call the UNCG Athletics Ticket Office at (336) 334-3250.
Courtesy of Denise Archetto
Assistant Athletic Director For Strategic Communications
UNC Greensboro