LittlesDutreilUNCG
48
North Alabama UNA 3-8
53
Winner UNC Greensboro UNCG 10-2
North Alabama UNA
3-8
48
Final
53
UNC Greensboro UNCG
10-2
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
North Alabama UNA 17 31 48
UNC Greensboro UNCG 26 27 53

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at Jacksonville State

12/18/2018 | 7:30 PM

WBCF 97.1

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Dec. 18 (Tue) / 7:30 PM
at Jacksonville State
History

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

UNCG WINS DEFENSIVE STRUGGLE OVER UNA MEN

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Despite holding UNCG to its lowest point total of the season, the University of North Alabama men's basketball team could not find enough offense in a 53-48 road loss to the Spartans on Saturday. With the loss, UNA falls to 3-8 on the season.
 
After a basket and free throw by Jamari Blackmon tied the game at 48-48 with 2:57 remaining, the Spartans got five points from preseason All-SoCon selection Francis Alonso down the stretch. UNA would not score again.
 
Alonso, who was named to the Lou Henson Award watch list, presented annually to the top mid-major player in Division I college basketball, entered the game averaging 19 points per contest. He was held to nine points before draining a three-point basket with 2:17 remaining to give the Spartans the lead for good. The senior added another basket on the ensuing possession after UNCG got a defensive stop.
 
The Lions used solid defensive play to stay within striking distance, holding the home team scoreless for the first 5:55 of playing time. Both teams, however, struggled to score throughout the game. UNA shot just 22.2 percent from the floor in the first half, while UNCG connected on 8-of-32 (25 percent) attempts over the first 20 minutes of play.
 
A pair of free throws by Blackmon gave the Lions an early 8-4 lead before UNCG grabbed control with a 17-1 run. North Alabama went 9:50 without hitting a shot from the floor before a basket by Cameron Diggs made the score 21-11 with 2:28 remaining. The Spartans led 26-27 at the break.
 
In the second half, the Lions began to slowly chip away at the deficit. Back-to-back three-point baskets by Kendarius Smith and Blackmon tied the game at 30-30 at the 15:03 mark. Another trey by Aleksa Matic gave UNA a 37-34 lead with 11:34 remaining.
 
North Alabama led by as many as four in the second half before UNCG made its move. The game featured four ties in the final 6:26 of playing time, including Blackmon's three-point play at the 2:57 mark. The freshman from Hoover finished with a game-high 17 points.
 
Smith also reached double figures for the Lions with 10 points while Cantavio Dutreil recorded four points, nine rebounds and four blocked shots.
 
Alonso had 14 points to lead UNCG, which entered the night averaging 83 points per game.
 
UNA will continue its road swing Tuesday at Jacksonville State. Tip-off is set for 7:15 p.m. at Pete Matthews Coliseum.  

 
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Players Mentioned

Kendarius Smith

#11 Kendarius Smith

G
5' 10"
Senior
Jamari Blackmon

#3 Jamari Blackmon

G
6' 0"
Freshman
Cantavio Dutreil

#5 Cantavio Dutreil

F
6' 7"
Freshman
Aleksa Matic

#10 Aleksa Matic

G
6' 4"
Freshman
Cameron Diggs

#15 Cameron Diggs

F
6' 9"
Junior

Players Mentioned

Kendarius Smith

#11 Kendarius Smith

5' 10"
Senior
G
Jamari Blackmon

#3 Jamari Blackmon

6' 0"
Freshman
G
Cantavio Dutreil

#5 Cantavio Dutreil

6' 7"
Freshman
F
Aleksa Matic

#10 Aleksa Matic

6' 4"
Freshman
G
Cameron Diggs

#15 Cameron Diggs

6' 9"
Junior
F