ETSU men’s basketball (9-17) dropped their second-straight game on Tuesday, when the Bucs visited SoCon rival UNCG (17-9) in a one-sided 91-65 blowout.
2023 has not been kind to the Bucs, going 3-8 since the new year.
Hoping to find some type of momentum to close out the season, the Bucs had a tough matchup in front of them as they took on the SoCon-leading Spartans on the road.
The first half of play was not in the Bucs’ favor, as UNGC outscored the Bucs 50-23 in a nearly perfect half for the Spartans.
An impressive 73% from the field and 69% from downtown were the numbers for UNCG as they entered the half. The Bucs struggled to find the basket early, which saw them fall behind early in this one.
Outpaced by UNCG from tip-off, the Bucs would struggle early, going down 6-11 within the first five minutes of play. Just when the Bucs looked to have found their rhythm by cutting the lead to 11-13 with 13:33 remaining in the first half, the Spartans would go on a 24-3 run.
With 6:39 remaining in half, UNCG was up 37-14 over the Bucs. The Spartans would end the half on a 13-9 run to put them up 50-23 at half.
Both teams were effective on offense in the second half, but the lead for UNCG was too much for the Bucs to overcome. However, the Bucs did outscore the Spartans 42-41 in the second half.
The bulk of ETSU’s points came on the backs of Jalen Haynes (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) and Jordan King (Albany, N.Y.). The duo scored 43 of ETSU’s 65 points.
Haynes led the way once again for the Bucs with 23 points. King wasn’t far behind, adding 20 points with 12 of those coming from deep.
Jaden Seymour (Charlotte, N.C.) was the only other Buc to reach double digits with 11.
The Bucs were outrebounded by UNCG 26-39, and the eight points off of the ETSU bench was overshadowed by the 32-point performance of UNCG’s bench.
ETSU finds themselves in seventh place in SoCon standings and facing back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the 1997-98 season.
The Bucs will look to bounce back on Feb. 10 when the (6-19) VMI Keydets visit Freedom Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
For more information on ETSU men’s basketball, visit ETSUBucs.com/mbasketball
