Women’s Basketball Defeats Presbyterian in Season Opener, 58-50
GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) women’s basketball team defeated Big South foe Presbyterian, 58-50 in its 2026-27 season opener on Monday night inside Bodford Arena.
Gloria Tony led all scorers with 17 points, while Kristina Rakotobe recorded her second career double-double after registering 10 points and 10 rebounds.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Presbyterian opened the scoring, but Rose Simpson tied it at the line before Leyla Minor and Rakotobe helped UNCG move ahead. Tony’s layup and free throw capped an 11-0 Spartan run for a 9-2 lead. UNCG stretched the margin to 13-2, then answered a Presbyterian run with two Rakotobe free throws to take a 15-10 lead into the second.
Savannah Robinson-Holmes scored on a layup and a three-pointer to start the second quarter, extending UNCG’s lead to 20-10. Tony and Robinson-Holmes added four free throws, while Rakotobe and Tony chipped in baskets as the Spartans kept Presbyterian to just four points in the period. Simpson’s layup and free throw sent UNCG into halftime up 35-14.
Presbyterian scored the first six points of the third quarter to cut the deficit to 15. Tony answered with two free throws, and Simpson and Tony added baskets to push UNCG’s lead to 41-20. The Blue Hose rallied again, scoring 13 of the next 15 points, but Rakotobe’s jumper helped the Spartans carry a 43-33 advantage into the fourth frame.
Presbyterian pulled within seven at 45-38 with 6:26 to play. Tiarna Chambers-Desmond responded with a layup and free throw, then added two more baskets as UNCG rebuilt its lead. Minor and Tony scored late to keep the Spartans ahead, and Robinson-Holmes’ basket made it 58-47 before Presbyterian added the final points in the 58-50 decision.
BY THE NUMBERS
Tony’s 17 points and seven rebounds marked new career highs.
Rakotobe matched career highs with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
Robinson-Holmes and Simpson chipped in nine points apiece.
Minor recorded a career-best eight rebounds and matched her career-best four blocks.
Chambers-Desmond recorded seven points and six rebounds.
UNCG bested Presbyterian in rebounds (41-36), second chance points (14-8), points in the paint (36-24), fast break points (16-11) and blocks (8-3).
Presbyterian led the way in bench points (24-36), steals (9-6) and assists (10-9).
RECORDS
UNCG: 1-0
PC: 0-1
UNCG WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TICKET INFORMATION
To hear about ticket options for UNCG women’s basketball home games, contact the ticket office to discuss full season, flex plans, discounted groups tickets, or single game tickets. For more information, please contact Ashlynn Templin in the UNCG Ticket Office at 336-334-3250 or email antemplin@uncg.edu
UP NEXT
The Spartans will continue in Bodford Arena, hosting Columbia College on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Thursday’s contest with the Koalas will be a part of Healthcare Heroes Night.
Emma White
Strategic Communications Coordinator
UNC Greensboro