Alonso with 8 3-pointers, UNC Greensboro beats Samford 98-82

Jan 28, 2018, 03:27 am

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Francis Alonso scored 24 points on eight 3-pointers and led five players in double-figure scoring as UNC Greensboro beat Samford 98-82 on Saturday night.

Marvin Smith added 18 points and seven rebounds for the Spartans (16-5, 7-1 Southern Conference). Jordy Kuiper had 16 points and seven rebounds and James Dickey and Isaiah Miller added 10 points apiece.

The Spartans shot 64 percent compared to 41 percent for Samford and had a 37-19 rebounding edge.

Alonso and Kuiper combined for three 3-pointers to start and the Spartans never looked back, climbing to a 25-6 lead midway and building to a 53-30 advantage at the break.

Samford got as close as 70-52 early in the second half. Alonso replied with three back-to-back 3s and Dickey a dunk to help stretch it to 84-63 with 7:56 left and the Spartans cruised from there.

Josh Sharkey scored 25 points for the Bulldogs (7-15, 3-6) who have lost five straight. Demetrius Denzel-Dyson added 19 points.