Box Score
Ronnie Burrell added 11 points and five rebounds |
BLOOMINGTON, IN - Senior guard Jay Joseph's 20 points were not enough as the UNC Greensboro men's basketball team fell to Indiana, 71-64, in the 2003-2004 season opener Friday night in front of a packed house in Assembly Hall.
"I was very proud of our effort this evening," head coach Fran McCaffery said. "I feel that this type of effort will win us several games this season."
Indiana opened the game quick, spring out to an early 9-2 lead. UNCG weathered the Hoosiers' run and calmly cut into the lead despite senior Jay Joseph picking up two quick fouls. Ray Bristow came off the bench to spark the Spartans' run, as he scored seven points and capped off a 9-2 UNCG run to give the Spartans a 15-14 lead with just nine minutes left in the first half. Following the UNCG's run, momentum shifted to Indiana as the Spartans struggled in its offensive sets. The Hoosiers went into the intermission with a 27-22 lead, led by Bracey Wright's nine points.
Both teams found their offensive groove in the second half of play. Jay Joseph scored 18 of his 20 points in the second half, while knocking down four 3-pointers to stretch his streak of consecutive games with a made 3-pointer to 33.
"I think Jay (Joseph) opened some eyes this evening," McCaffery added. "He has typically played great games against great teams. He struggled early in the game, but he bounced back in the second half and really got it rolling, which is a testament to his character."
For the Spartans, Ronnie Burrell added 11 points, while Josh Gross finished with 10 points and six rebounds. Ronnie Taylor added seven points, five rebounds and five assists in 36 minutes after missing most of last season with a let injury.
"It was great to have Ronnie Taylor back on the floor for us," McCaffery said. "He was going to the rack, pulling up for big jumpers and playing ball like we're accustomed to seeing."
Bracey Wright paced Indiana with a game-high 23 points, while Marshall Strickland, the only other Hoosier in double-figures, added 17 points and six rebounds. The Spartans held A.J. Moye to seven points and freshman Pat Ewing, Jr., to five points and four rebounds in his collegiate debut.
Indiana got to the line 30 times this evening, knocking down 23 of those attempts. In contrast, UNCG was just 12-of-15 from the charity stripe. The Hoosiers claimed a slim, 36-32, advantage on the glass. Both teams committed 16 turnovers in the contest.
UNCG will return to action again Tuesday, November 25, at Campbell. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 pm in Carter Gymnasium. Indiana will return to action when they travel to Nashville, TN, to battle Vanderbilt at 8 pm on Monday.
