Greensboro, NC – Wofford men's basketball faced an early 13-0 deficit the team was unable to overcome in an 82-59 loss to the UNCG Spartans.

UNCG began the game 5-for-7 from the field and forced four Terrier turnovers to prompt an early Wofford timeout. Wofford twice cut the deficit to six points over the next ten minutes of the half, in large part due to the play of junior Corey Tripp. His highest scoring first half of the season, Tripp netted 14 points on 6-for-9 shooting (2-for-3 from beyond the arc)- including the first eight Terrier points out of the timeout. Tripp finished his night with a team high 19 points (8-for-16 shooting, 3-for-6 from three).

Despite the team's success in rallying back during the first half, Wofford was unable to force the pivotal stop- conceding a three-pointer on both possessions after trimming the deficit to six.

The Terriers trimmed the deficit to single digits for the final time with the opening bucket of the second half before a 2-for-10 stretch spanning the six minutes and forty-one seconds quashed the hopes of a Wofford rally.

Given 14:03 minutes of action in the second half (played a career-high 20:44 minutes in total), Freshman Belal El Shakery put together a nine point, six rebound closing frame that saw the freshman forward convert five of seven attempts from the free-throw line and, coupled with the first half, set new career highs in points scored (11), free throws made (7), free throws attempted (9)- to go along with seven rebounds (a career-best against D-I competition).

Sophomore Anthony Arrington, Jr. continued to provide valuable production off the bench- totaling 11 points on 3-for-4 shooting from behind the arc and dished out two assists. Over the past three games, Arrington Jr. has shot 80% from three (8-for-10) and 75% from the floor (12-for-16).

Up next for the Terriers are two home bouts- the first against Chattanooga on Wednesday, January 24, and then Furman on Saturday, January 27. Both games are slated for a 7 PM tip and can be viewed on ESPN+.