Spartan Drop Heartbreaker to Pirates

UNCG 84 - ECU 85

UNCG Atheltics
ECU Athletics

Halftime: UNCG 40 - ECU 30

UNCG Stats
Leader Points: Saddler (34)
Leader Rebounds: Cain (9)
Leader Assists: Saddler (5)
Team FG: 26-52 (50.0%)
Team 3 Pt: 6-12 (50.0%)
Team FT: 26-35 (74.3%)
Rebounds: 43
Turnovers: 19

East Carolina Stats
Leader Points: Richmond (19)
Leader Rebounds: Zangari, Stith, Campbell, White (Tied - 5)
Leader Assists: Roberts-Campbell (3)
Team FG: 27-67 (40.3%)
Team 3 Pt: 6-21 (28.6%)
Team FT: 25-28 (89.3%)
Rebounds: 31
Turnovers: 9

Thoughts
Does anyone wonder why the stats above look like a UNCG win? That's because that is what is was (or should have been). In all honesty, this game shouldn't have been in position to end the way that it ended. The Spartans controlled this one throughout. It was 2 silly fouls and one turnover at the end that helped down UNCG. Were the last 2 calls actually fouls? I have my opinions. However, the refs called anything and everything close a foul. You've got to know that's the case and adjust.

On a positive note, I'm not sure there are many teams on the schedule that can play UNCG man-to-man straight up for a whole game and not pay for it badly. The Spartans jumped out to a 20-7 lead early and by the second half had forced ECU into playing zone. Partially this was due to foul trouble. However, it was also due to the fact that they were not able to contain UNCG in the man-to-man. Tevon Saddler and Tyrone Outlaw continue to impress as freshmen. The big guys needs to do a better job of staying out of foul trouble, but Kyle Cain was again impressive. It was also nice to Nicholas Paulos's shoot with confidence.

This is a tough game to swallow. But there's nothing anyone can do to change it. It'll go down in the books as 85-84 ECU. Got to just enjoy the positives and hope this doesn't hurt the team emotionally. They have time to recover.

Go Spartans !!!