GREENSBORO – A fired up UNC Greensboro squad took a 71-58 victory from the UNCP men's basketball squad in its home opener on Thursday evening at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro.

UNCP (2-2) was kept under its season rebounding average after recording just 26 rebounds while the host Spartans (1-2) gobbled up 36 boards, including 18 on the offensive end. That rebounding advantage enabled the Spartans to hold a 19-to-10 advantage in second-chance points. 

The rebounding margin by UNCG kept the Braves' offense at bay despite a strong 7-of-12 effort from behind the 3-point line and a higher team shooting percentage (47 percent to 41 percent). The Braves and Spartans nearly matched each other in turnovers (19-to-16) and assists (12-to-13) but the Spartans were able to hold a commanding 23-to-9 lead in points off turnovers.

Shahmel Brackett led the team with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting from the floor, including 4-of-6 from downtown while Marcus Heath added 12 points on 4-of-9 shooting, including 3-of-5 from 3-point land. 

Nathan Priest booked 10 points in 16 minutes of action on 3-of-6 shooting from the field while K.J. Cooper led the team with five rebounds and five assists in 34 minutes of action. 

UNCP looks to get back in the win column on Tuesday when it hosts in-state rival Wingate at 7 p.m. at the Jones Center in Pembroke.