by JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 22, 2021) – Despite an inspired performance in the fourth quarter, the ETSU women’s basketball team left themselves with too much work to overcome as the UNCG Spartans escaped Brooks Gym with a 56-53 win over the Bucs on Friday evening.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
With the loss, the Bucs fall to 2-9, now 0-4 in conference play. The Spartans improve to 3-10, gaining their first win in the conference to move to 1-3 in the SoCon.
A 6-15 (40.0%) effort from the field and 10-12 (83.3%) effort from the line in the fourth couldn’t dismantle a slow start from the Buccaneer offense, shooting just 9-38 over the first three stanzas. ETSU finished 15-53 (28.3%) from the floor, 5-27 (18.5%) from deep and 18-26 (69.2%) from the line. The 18 free throws made were the best tally for the Bucs all season. The 23-point fourth quarter tied for the highest scoring quarter of the season for ETSU.
After falling behind 23-17 on the rebounds, the Bucs dominated the glass in the second on the way to a 35-33 advantage. ETSU converted 17 offensive rebounds into a 12-2 advantage in second chance points.
The Bucs forced 18 takeaways from the Spartans, conceding just 11, a season low. ETSU outscored UNCG 22-11 in points off turnovers.
The Blue and Gold were in a sharing mood, grabbing 11 helpers on 15 made baskets, good for a 73.3% clip in assists to field goals
TOP PERFORMERS
Leading the way for the Bucs was Carly Hooks (Atlanta, Ga.). The freshman finished with a game-high 12 points, nine coming in the second half on 3-4 shooting with three steals to help charge the comeback.
E’Lease Stafford (Navajo) and Jasmine Sanders (Charlotte, N.C.) ended with 10 points, the latter securing six rebounds before fouling out late in the contest.
An all-around performance from Kaia Upton (Nashville, Tenn.) saw the junior finish with seven points, six rebounds and four assists.
Tori Powell and Pernilla Sorensen both finished with 12 points for the Spartans, the Swede attempting all eight of her efforts from deep, sinking four. Cece Crudup finished with 10 points, while Khalis Cain gave the Spartans an eight-point, 12 rebound spark.
