GREENSBORO, N.C. — UNC Greensboro gave first-year coach Jerod Haase an easy debut Tuesday night, pounding Milligan 96-43 at Bodford Arena to open the men’s basketball season.
Neal started things with a layup, and a Vernon Collins Jr. dunk on the next trip sparked the run. The Spartans scored the first 18 points of the game and Milligan did not score until 14:06 remained before halftime. Grant scored on a drive to make it 37-13 with 5:00 to go before halftime, and UNCG led 47-21 at the break. Baskets on four straight trips to open the second half pushed the score to 55-21, and the Spartans stretched the margin past 40 points late, going up 76-35 with just over seven minutes to play.
Cameron Grant paced UNCG with a career-best 19 points to go with nine rebounds and three blocked shots. RJ Greer set a career high with 15 points, and Dionte Neal made 7 of 8 shots for 14 points while handing out seven assists. Brock Mishak chipped in 13 points with eight boards, while Jon Mani and Zavier Fitch each reached 10, giving the Spartans six players in double figures.
UNCG controlled the glass 53-31 and outscored Milligan 58-24 in the paint. The Spartans also piled up 27 fast-break points and got 31 from their reserves. They shot 56.1% from the field while holding the Buffs to 23.9%.
William Robinson led Milligan with 10 points. The game counted as an exhibition for the Buffs.
UNCG, now 1-0, plays its first road game Friday, Nov. 6, at Elon, with tipoff set for 7 p.m. at Schar Center. Milligan visits Lipscomb on Sunday.
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