UNC Greensboro takes control in 2nd, beats W. Carolina 66-55

Jan 14, 2018, 02:58 am

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Marvin Smith had 24 points and nine rebounds as North Carolina Greensboro took control in the second half to beat Western Carolina 66-55 in Southern Conference action on Saturday night.

Smith was 9 of 15 from the floor, hitting three from distance. Francis Alonso added 20 points as he was 4 of 11 from long range.

Western Carolina broke a 24-24 halftime tie to take an early second-half lead before Alonso drilled a 3-pointer to go ahead 27-26. The Spartans (12-5, 3-1) never trailed again.

The Catamounts closed to 44-41 at the 11:30 mark but Alonso and Kyrin Galloway drilled two straight 3-pointers to stretch the lead to 50-41.

UNC Greensboro was 26 of 53 (49 percent) from the floor while limiting the Catamounts to 15-of-38 shooting (40 percent). The Spartans won the rebound battle 36-19.

Mike Amius had 19 points for Western Carolina (7-10, 3-2). Deriece Parks added 12 points.