Spartans Break Streak, Surge to Comeback Victories

UNCG 75 - App State 74

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Watauga Democrat
UNCG Athletics
App State Athletics

Aaron Bracket's 28 points and 15 rebounds helped UNCG overcome another bad first half. The Spartans found themselves down 13 at the break after ASU ran off a 13-0 run to finish the half. Even though UNCG's starting guards managed to score just a single point, Brandon Evans came off the bench to drop in 18 points. Leading 75-74, the Spartans missed free throws at the end to give the Mountaineers a final shot at the win. Donald Sims (25 pts) missed a 25 foot shot that would have won the game. Instead, UNCG got to break it's 16 game losing streak.


UNCG 77 - Davidson 69

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Charlotte Observer
UNCG Athletics
Davidson Athletics

Freshman Trevis Simpson had one of the most spectacular performances ever turned in by a Spartan with 33 points on Monday. His 12-15 shooting performance helped UNCG shake off a tough first half to defeat Davidson, 77-69. It was the first UNCG win at home this season. The Spartans shot 38% in the first half on their way to being down by 7 at the break. The second half saw Simpson's teammates heat up with him to shoot 60% and really put the clamps on Davidson defensively. David Williams led the way on that end of the floor with 3 block and 4 steals.

Recap Action

Massive apologies for getting so far behind blogging. I've had the flu this week and it has really kicked my ass. Today is the first day in a while that I've had the energy to sit at the computer. So, let's get to looking at the last couple of games.

UNCG 59 - Wofford 77

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GoUpstate.com
UNCG Athletics
Wofford Athletics

I didn't get to see or hear any of the game because I was out of town. From the look of things on the stat sheet, UNCG really wasn't too competitive in this game. Wofford shot 57.7% from the floor. Ben Stywall lead UNCG with 18 points and 8 rebounds. Kyle Randall scored 10.

UNCG 69 - App State 75

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Winston-Salem Journal
Watauga Democrat
UNCG Athletics
App State Athletics

In a very close game, it was UNCG that went cold at the end. The Spartans managed to hit just one field goal over the last 7 minutes and App State surged ahead to the win. Kyle Randall continued his good play as of late by scoring 18 points. Mikko Koivisto added 16 points, but shot just 3-13 behind the arc to get those points. The Spartans defense did a good job on App State guard Donald Sims. However, they were forced to put him at the free throw line at the end of the game, where he is almost automatic. UNCG did a solid job of holding on to the basketball (7 turnovers). However, the Mountaineers out rebounded the Spartans 35-25 and got several big offensive rebounds when the game was on the line. Ben Stywall did not make a single shot from the floor.

Because of a scheduling quirk, UNCG won't play again until next Monday. The Spartans will host Western Carolina at the Greensboro Coliseum.

Late Run Dashes Spartan Hopes

UNCG 64 - App State 72

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Winston-Salem Journal
Watauga Democrat
UNCG Athletics
App State Athletics

Victory !!!

UNCG 85 - App State 83 (OT)

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W-S Journal

Watauga Democrat

UNCG Athletics

App State Athletics

I'm not really interested in doing my normal recap. I've raked the team over when they've played bad, by refusing to call anything good or bad (only ugly). Well, after their performance in Boone, I'll just say that everything was good. However, here are some things that jumped out at me during the game.

- Damian Eargle is slowly turning into the prospect that everyone heard about. All of his 25 points and 11 rebounds were needed. Without Elhanan Bone, the UNCG big men are being stretched a little thin. But all of them are playing better and not trying to do too much. I hope that this is just the first of many impressive nights for the "lanky lefty" freshman.
- Daniel Oliver found the "on" switch. Even though he had 4 of the team's 10 turnovers, he played very well in the face of full court pressure. He also shot the ball well when he was left open.
- Mike Dement. I've ripped that guy several times this year. However, this time he deserves some credit. His defensive strategies have worked all year. He just couldn't get any offense to go with the good defense. It's amazing how much better of a coach he looks like when good defensive strategy is paired with a team that puts the ball into the basket.
- 10 team turnovers. See you can win games when you don't give the ball away.
- 51.7% from the field. UNCG has played very good defense all year. What they've really failed to do is put the ball in the basket. The Spartans shot 46% in Cullowhee and now this in Boone. Hopefully, this is case where confidence is breeding more confidence.
- And finally ... I put up the Braveheart picture b/c watching UNCG get this win felt like a damn epic movie. There were 3 times yesterday that I thought UNCG had the game wrapped up, only to watch ASU do something to keep the game going. The Spartan players deserve a ton of credit for not giving up after Sims sent the game to overtime with a shot that shouldn't have went in.

OK, it's 1 win. Let's hope this is the start of something good in the second half of the season and not just a one time thing.