Sergio Guerra, Sports Editor/Photographer 

UNCG Men’s Basketball has roared back from a disappointing three-game losing streak last weekend to win two games on the bounce. The first match was at home against Western Carolina on Wednesday, February 4^th, which UNCG won 81-78. The match highlighted the Spartans’ grit and determination, winning on a Justin Neely steal and WCU foul. The second match was a 67-64 road win against the Furman Paladins in a game that was streamed nationally on ESPN2. The Spartans sit with a 6-6 record in the Southern Conference after the weekend, which is just one game back from a top five finish in the conference. 

Justin Neely Heroics 

UNCG Basketball went into the February 4^th matchup against Western Carolina 4-6 in the Southern Conference and 8-15 overall. The Western Carolina Catamounts came in with the same 4-6 record in the Southern Conference, as both sides looked to leapfrog the other in the SoCon standings. 

Neither side dominated proceedings, emphasized by the 15 lead changes that occurred throughout the game. However, the Spartans improved efficiency issues from last time out, with 44/45/89 splits. One cause for concern might be fast-break points—the  Spartans were only able to capitalize on fast breaks for one bucket (two points). Meanwhile, the Catamounts earned 12 points off the fast break.  

Justin Neely was the hero of the match, leading the Spartans with a 25-point and 11-rebound double-double. Neely’s most important contribution came in the final three seconds of the match, when the score was tied 78-78. The 6-6 forward was able to steal an inbound pass by Cord Stansberry and attempt a three-point shot from half-court—getting  fouled in the process. That play earned Neely a trip to the line, where he knocked down all three free throws and won the game. 

Lilian Marville and Noah Norgaard also reached double digit point tallies with 14 and 12 points respectively. Marville was also red-hot from beyond the arc, making 4-4 three-point attempts – the most in the entire match. 

On the National Stage 

The Spartans looked to carry the momentum of their win into a huge match on February 8 against the Furman Paladins – a game that would be nationally televised on ESPN2. The Paladins sat with 7-4 record in SoCon play while the Spartans improved to 5-6 with their win over Western Carolina.  

The match was once again very close, with eight lead changes in the first half. However, UNCG went into halftime with a seven-point lead over the Paladins and never gave up the lead throughout the rest of the game. Justin Neely would sink two free throws with six seconds left of play to put UNCG up 67-64.  

Speaking of Justin Neely, he once again posted a double-double with 24 points and 13 rebounds. He also recorded three steals and one block. Noah Norgaard was the only other Spartan to record a double-digit point tally with 11 points. 

An unsung contribution in both matches must be Donald Whitehead Jr., who has averaged 10 points off the bench in both games. In fact, Whitehead Jr. has scored at least as much as the rest of the UNCG bench. 

Up Next 

UNCG improves to 6-6 in SoCon play after the back-to-back wins and looks forward as it hosts matches against VMI on Wednesday, February 11^th and Wofford on Saturday, February 14^th at Bodford Arena. It is possible for the Spartans to end Valentine’s Day with an 8-6 record which, barring other results around the league, would put the team in the third seed of the Southern Conference.