December 3, 2003
UNCG TOPS FURMAN 73-65 IN SOCON
OPENER
(Courtesy of UNCG Sports Information)
GREENSBORO, N.C. - Ray Bristow converted on four-of-five 3-point attempts in the second half to propel the UNC Greensboro men’s basketball team to a 73-65 victory over Furman Wednesday night in Fleming Gymnasium in the Southern Conference opener for both squads.
With just over four minutes left in the first half of play, Furman posted its biggest lead of the game, 28-21, when Maleye Ndoye drilled a 3-pointer. Ronnie Burrell countered with a dunk that kicked off a 13-2 UNCG run to give the Spartans a 34-30 advantage at the half.
The momentum UNCG took into the intermission didn’t stay around long as Furman quickly knocked the lead down to one, 38-37, on a Tony Carter jumper. The Paladins eventually tied the game at 43-43 at the 14:14 mark.
Following the tie, UNCG’s Bristow hit his first of four 3-pointers in a three minute span to put the Spartans back up, 58-49, at the 8:30 mark. The Paladins only let the lead stretch to double digits once, 60-50, before clawing back and eventually cutting the lead to just three, 66-63, with just under two minutes remaining in regulation.
The Spartans closed out the contest on a 7-to-2 run to preserve the victory.
Ronnie Burrell led four Spartans in double figures with 15 points. He also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Bristow scored 14 points in just 10 minutes of play, while Jay Joseph added 12 points. Rodney Blackstock came off the bench to score 11, grab six rebounds and record four steals.
Freshman Quan Prowell led the Paladin attack with a game-high 22 points, while hitting 9-of-10 from the field. Prowell also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds. Ndoye added 16 points and Eric Webb was good for 10 points.
UNCG claimed a 37-32 advantage on the glass and recorded 10 steals. Furman claimed the slight edge in field goal percentage, outshooting the Spartans 48% (26-of-54) to 46% (27-of-59).