East Tennessee State’s women’s basketball team struggled to find their shooting touch as the Buccaneers fell 73-62 to the Spartans of UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference action Tuesday at Memorial Center.
The Bucs shot just over 27 percent shooting from the floor in the second half and 31.7 percent for the game. Despite their poor shooting, the Bucs remained in the game by stepping up their defensive pressure, forcing the Spartans into 22 turnovers.
“I thought we played well defensively, but we didn’t make plays on the offensive end when we needed to,” Buccaneer head coach Karen Kemp said.
The game started off close with both teams trading baskets. With 42 seconds left in the half Greensboro went up by six, 36-30, the largest lead for either team. ETSU’s Lauren Trantham hit two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to cut the lead to four, 36-32, going into the half.
In the second half, the Bucs got within one point of the Spartans at 42-41 with 15:42 remaining. Greensboro went on a 10-2 run with 3-pointers by Nicole Murray and Shanika Jackson to give the Spartans a 52-43 lead with 13:07 left to play. Greensboro caught fire from behind the arc at that point nailing five 3-pointers after shooting just 16.7 percent from long range in the first half.
ETSU (8-16, 5-10) would get within four points twice, but a Murray 3-pointer and four straight free throws by the Spartans would give UNCG a 67-57 lead with 5:11 left. ETSU got within striking distance again, cutting the lead to six, 67-61, with 1:43 left, but three boards off of missed free throws would seal the Spartan victory.
The Bucs were led by Trantham who recorded her eighth double-double of the season netting 16 points and grabbing 12 rebounds. Kiya Verdell chipped in 13 points and recorded three steals, while Jessica Lonon added 10.
Murray scored a 25 points to lead Greensboro, followed by Lambert who scored 20.
The Bucs travel to Davidson, Feb. 22, with the tip set for 3 p.m.

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