UNCG freshman Jacinda Lambert scored eight of her season-high 10 points in the last seven minutes and junior Sandi Reid posted a career-high 13 as the women's basketball team held off East Tennessee State 73-58 in a Southern Conference women's basketball game January 20 at home.

The Spartans maintained sole possession of second place in the SoCon as they improved to 13-4 overall and 7-1 in the conference despite their worst shooting performance in eight games, 39 percent. ETSU, which had won the last two meetings between the teams, fell to 3-14 (3-5).

Down 15 to begin the second half, the Lady Bucs steadily cut away at the Spartans' lead, coming within eight twice, including 56-48 on a layup by Jessica Lonon with 6:42 remaining.

Lambert drained a jumper to push the lead back to 10 just nine seconds later, and after two Megan Jackson free throws for the Lady Bucs, Lambert scored two straight layups and a jumper around an ETSU free throw for a 70-55 advantage with 1:38 left.

"We had different players step up for us today," said UNCG coach Lynne Agee. "Sandi was the difference in the game, she rebounded so well, and played strong and active in the paint."

UNCG opened strong, taking a quick 18-4 lead 7:38 into the game, led by seven points from Brianne Dodgen and five points from Samika Foster. The Spartans had their largest lead of the half at 17, 27-10, on a free throw by Jessica Williams.

ETSU ran off a 10-0 spurt over 2:50 to cut the lead to 27-20 at 3:59, and after a jumper by Nicole Murray, Erin Thurman nailed a three-pointer to bring the Lady Bucs within six at 29-23.

That was the closest they would come the rest of the game, as UNCG closed the half on a 9-0 run, capped by a three-pointer by ChoRhonda Gwaltney with 19 seconds left before the break.

Four players finished in double figures for UNCG, led by Reid and Dodgen, who both missed a double-double by just one rebound with 13 points and nine boards. Senior Katie DelCampo notched 12 points, including eight in the first 7:29 of the second half before leaving with an ankle injury. Samika Foster added seven points and seven assists.

ETSU was led by Thurman's 14 points, while Lonon's 14 was also a career-high. Megan Jackson added 10. The Lady Bucs shot only 37.5 percent for the game.

UNCG hit just three-of-22 from behind the arc (13.6 percent) but held a 52-43 rebounding edge and and forced 20 turnovers while committing only 11.

"Overall as a team we didn't shoot well," said Agee. "They played zone, so it was important to get offensive rebounds and second shots. We had only 11 turnovers, so we had control of our possessions, which was good to see, and our balance in scoring (six players with seven or more points) was outstanding.

The Lady Bucs return to action on Jan. 24 as they face the Furman Lady Paladins at 7:00 p.m. at home in Brooks Gym.