UPDATE #11: UNCG has its largest lead of the game, four points, at 59-55 at the final media timeout at 3:40. ASU has not shot the ball well from the field for much of the second half. UNCG has found success from medium range shooting the basketball, and has improved rebounding on both ends of the floor to get back into the contest. A berth in Sunday's semifinal is on the line.
UPDATE #10: 7:46 remains in the contest and the Spartans have rebounded from an 11-point second-half deficit to knot the contest at 51-51. UNCG has outscored ASU 13-1 over a 5:05 span to make this a new ballgame.
UPDATE #9: A 7-0 UNCG run has cut the lead to three at 49-46. ASU takes a timeout to talk things over at the 9:46 mark.
UPDATE #8: ASU holds a 49-39 lead with 11:45 left on the second half clock. UNCG has improved its offensive rebounding in the second half, but are still missing a number of shots within five feet of the basket.
ASU has been hustling hard throughout this game, and looks to be the hungrier team to this point. Lots of time remaining and anything can happen, especially in tournament play.
UPDATE #7: ASU has stretched its lead to 49-38 after a couple of easy missed shots, one a dunk and the other a layup, from UNCG. A steal and Nate Healy layup pushed ASU's lead past double-figures for the first time today with 12:55 left to play, forcing a UNCG timeout.
UPDATE #6: ASU shot 52 percent from the floor in the first half, and continues to shoot well, holding a 43-35 lead with 15:58 to play in the game. An Andre Williamson field goal and Butts score off an offensive rebound has been the scoring in the half thus far for the Mountaineers
UPDATE #5: At intermission, ASU leads UNCG 39-32. A field goal at the buzzer just inside the three-point arc by Jamaal Trice spots the Mountaineers the seven-point halftime edge.
UPDATE #4: With 3:49 to play in the opening half, ASU holds a slim 28-26 lead. The Mountaineers offense, which started with a hot streak, has suddenly gone stone cold from the field, missing its last four shots in a row. UNCG is starting to heat up, but isn't setting the world on fire with its shooting, either.
UPDATE #3: With 6:29 to play in the opening half, ASU holds a 28-22 lead over UNCG. Butts continues to be a force inside on offense with 10 points, with 10 from Carter. David Williams has six points to lead UNCG. ASU has rebounded well, specifically on the defensive end of the floor thus far, while Butts has cleaned up several offensive putbacks.
UPDATE #2: With 11:43 to play in the first half, ASU trails UNCG 16-15. Isaac Butts has been active for the Mountaineers with six points, while UNCG has somewhat spread the scoring around to grab its slim lead. The winner of today's game takes on the winner of our next game between Western Carolina and Wofford.
UPDATE #1: ASU holds a narrow 9-7 lead at the 15:33 mark. Omar Carter has a three-pointer and five points total as the Mountaineers built an early 7-2 lead, but a three-pointer by Trevis Simpson helped bring UNCG back to knot the score. A Williamson basket prior to the first media timeout gives ASU the slim two-point lead.
We're back for day two of the Southern Conference men's basketball tournament. It's ASU taking on UNC-Greensboro in the first game of the day. UNCG is the top seed out of the Northern Division, with ASU the fourth seed.
ASU hopes to build on its 93-81 win over Charleston on Friday, while today marks UNCG's first tourney game after yesterday's bye.
We'll be here throughout the game with updates on the contest, as well as a wrapup following the contest.
