First Half Surge Pushes Trojans Past North Greenville

First Half Surge Pushes Trojans Past North Greenville

Tigerville, S.C. – The University of Mount Olive men's basketball team earned a 65-51 victory over North Greenville University on Monday night in Tigerville, S.C.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Mount Olive 65, North Greenville 51
Records: Mount Olive (4-13, 3-6 CC), North Greenville (6-9, 1-7 CC)
Location: Hayes Gymnasium, Tigerville, S.C.

How It Happened
Play-by-Play


FIRST HALF

  • UMO struggled to get started in the early going as North Greenville sprinted out to a 16-7 lead just 5:51 into the half.
  • The Trojans quickly shrugged off the slow start and assembled a 26-8 run over the final 14 minutes of the first period to take a 33-24 lead into the break.
  • During the run, UMO shot 8-18 (44.4%) but connected on all five free throw attempts and grabbed 10 rebounds while holding NGU to just 2-11 (18.2%) shooting from the field and forcing the Crusaders into eight turnovers.
  • Junior Tayon Gleaves helped fuel UMO's run with 15 first half points on 5-5 shooting from the field.

SECOND HALF

  • Stifling defense by the Trojans held NGU to just five points in the first four minutes of the half as UMO increased its lead to 15 at 44-29 with 15:59 left on the clock.
  • NGU did not go quietly as the Crusaders cut Mount Olive's lead to just ten twice in the final frame at 44-34 and 49-39 but the Trojans responded with baskets of their own each instance and never let NGU draw within single digits.
  • Building on his strong performance, Gleaves scored four of the Trojans' last six points to secure the 65-51 road victory for UMO.

KEY STATS

  • Gleaves poured in 22 points to lead all scorers in the win.
  • Adding double figure performances were freshman Tyler Thomas (13) and sophomore Jamaal Matin (12), who also added eight boards.
  • Freshman Saiquon Jamison helped clean up the glass with six points and seven boards.
  • Helping facilitate in the victory were junior DeAndre Barber who dished out five assists and freshman Cameron Robinson who contributed four assists.
  • UMO was outshot by NGU, 47.7%-41.8%, but the Trojans forced 18 Crusader turnovers while only committing nine.

UP NEXT
Mount Olive returns home for Piggly Wiggly Blackout Night on Saturday evening as the Trojans host Pfeiffer at 4 p.m. in Kornegay Arena.