UNC Greensboro fortified its Southern Conference momentum with a gritty 58-50 road victory over Furman on Saturday, led by Kenyon Giles' clutch 19-point performance. The Spartans (18-9, 11-3) limited Furman to a season-low 50 points, holding the Paladins to 34.5% shooting in a defensive masterclass at Timmons Arena.
Giles dominated with 7/16 field goals and perfect free-throw accuracy while Ronald Polite added 15 points and five assists. UNC Greensboro's lockdown defense neutralized Furman’s Marcus Foster (3/11 FG), forcing 14 turnovers. Key factors:
- UNCG outscored Furman 14-5 in second-chance points
- Spartans committed only 8 turnovers vs. Furman’s 14
- Paladins shot 7/27 (25.9%) from three-point range
Furman’s Pjay Smith Jr. (17 points) and Nick Anderson (16 points) kept the game within reach, but the Paladins (19-8, 7-7) fell to fourth in the conference after losing three of their last five. UNCG now trails Samford by one game in the Southern Conference race with four regular-season matchups remaining.
This defensive showdown reinforces UNCG’s status as a conference contender while raising questions about Furman’s offensive consistency. With both teams eyeing March Madness bids, Saturday’s result could prove pivotal in seeding scenarios.