Freshman forward Jacinda Lambert scored six of her career-high 10 points in the last 2:37 of the game and junior Sandi Reid posted a career-high 13 as homestanding North Carolina-Greensboro held off ETSU 73-58 in Southern Conference women’s basketball.
The Spartans held on to sole possession of second place in the SoCon as they improved to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in the conference, despite their worst shooting performance in eight games (39 percent).
ETSU fell to 3-14 on the season and 3-5 in the SoCon. Down 15 to begin the second half, the Lady Bucs steadily cut away at the Spartans’ lead, coming within eight twice, the last of which came on a layup by Jessica Lonon at 6:42 to make the score 56-48.
Lambert drained a jumper to push the lead back to 10 just nine seconds later, and after two Megan Jackson free throws at 2:55 made the score 64-54, Lambert scored two straight layups and a jumper around an ETSU free throw to seal the victory, with UNCG taking a 70-55 lead with 1:38 remaining in the game.
“We had different players step up for us today,” said UNCG head coach Lynne Agee.
“Sandi was the difference in the game, she rebunded so well and played strong and active in the paint.”
UNCG opened strong, taking a quick 18-4 lead 7:38 into the game, led by seven points from Brianne Dodgen and five points from Samika Foster.
The Spartans had their largest lead of the half at 17, (27-10), on a free throw by Jessica Williams.
ETSU ran off a 10-0 spurt over 2:50 to cut the lead to 27-20 at 3:59, and after a jumper by Nicole Murray, Erin Thurman nailed a three-pointer to bring the Lady Bucs within six at 29-23.
That was the closest they would come for the rest of the game, as UNCG closed the half on a 9-0 run, capped by a three-pointer by ChoRhonda Gwaltney with 19 seconds left in the first stanza.
Four players finished in double figures for UNCG, led by Reid and Dodgen, who both missed a double-double by just one rebound with 13 points and nine rebounds. Senior Katie DelCampo notched 12 points, including eight in the first 7:29 of the second half before leaving with an ankle injury.
Foster added seven points and seven assists.
ETSU was led by Thurman’s 14 points, while Lonon’s 14 was also a career-high, including three-of-22 from behind the arc (13.6 percent). UNCG held the rebounding advantage at 52-43, and forced 20 turnovers while committing only 11.
The Bucs will next face Furman Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Brooks Gym.
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