Final Stats

GREENSBORO, N.C. - For just the second time in the last 18 meetings, the UNCG Spartans defeated the Western Carolina men's basketball team 75-58 Thursday night in Southern Conference action. The Catamounts trailed by as many as 20 points in the opening half before ending the period down 17. WCU played even basketball with the Spartans in the second half but was unable to overcome the 17-point deficit.

Senior Mike Brown continued his strong play as he led all scorers with 20 points. It marks the fourth-straight game Brown has scored 20 or more points and fifth of the last six games. Brown added eight rebounds and four assists to his stat line as well. Senior Torrion Brummitt came up just shy of a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds while also dishing out a pair of assists.

Senior Justin Browning was the only other Catamount in double-figures as he had 10 points and five rebounds.

The Catamounts went 0-15 from 3-point range before a Rhett Harrelson shot found the mark with 6:04 to play. Freshman Elijah Pughsley would hit one with 12 seconds remaining to end WCU's night 2-19 from 3-point range. The two 3-pointers ties a season low and the 10.5 percent from 3-point range marks the lowest percentage for the Catamounts this season.

The Spartans on the other hand hit seven from long range including six in the opening half as they built up their lead.

WCU never led in the game as UNCG jumped out to a 12-3 lead and never looked back. The Catamounts were within 13 points twice in the second half but that would be as close as they would come.

UNCG was led by Kayel Locke who scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Asad Lamot added 13 points off the bench while RJ White had 12 points and five rebounds.

The loss drops WCU's record to 8-15 overall and 3-7 in SoCon play while the Spartans improve to 9-14 overall and 5-5 in conference action.

The Catamounts will now head north to face VMI in Lexington, Va., on Saturday at 1 pm.