CHARLESTON, S.C. – Diante Baldwin finished with a team-high 17 points, notching 14 in the second half, to lead UNCG to a 79-63 victory over The Citadel at McAlister Field House in Southern Conference action on Saturday afternoon.
 
Baldwin's individual performance was overshadowed by The Citadel's (8-15, 3-9 SoCon) Ashton Moore, who poured in a season-high 32 points. Moore hit 7-of-17 from the floor, including three 3-pointers, and was successful on 15-of-16 attempts at the free throw line.
 
Moore became the sixth player in program history to record 30 points in his career on three occasions, which previously against UVA-Wise (30) and Davidson (35). He also placed himself in a seven-way tie for ninth-most free throw conversions (15) in a game.
 
Separated by one point at the intermission the two teams battled to a 45-all tie on a jumper by UNCG's Nicholas Paulos at the 15:26 mark.
 
Paulos added his second trey of the half just over two minutes later as UNCG pieced together a 17-5 run to move in front 62-50. The Spartans (8-17, 4-8 SoCon) were also on the receiving end of four points from Tevon Saddler and three by Clay Byrd during the spurt.
 
UNCG's lead ballooned to 67-53 before Moore sent home a timely 3-pointer from the right elbow on a pass from Warren Sledge. After a missed attempt for the Spartans on offense, Moore answered with a jumper to draw the Dogs within 67-58 as he drove home his 30^th point.
 
However, The Citadel would pull no closer as UNCG earned its fourth win on the road by scoring 10 of the final 15 points.
 
Baldwin, who tied his career-high with eight assists, was joined on offensive by the trio of Tevon Saddler (15 points), R.J. White (15) and Paulos (14). Collectively they lead a Spartan unit that hit 30-of-53 (56.6%) from the field and 9-of-19 from beyond the arc.
 
The combination of White (eight rebounds) and Kayle Locke (five rebounds) provided UNCG with a 32-30 edge on the glass and a 30-14 advantage in points in the paint.
 
For the 16^th time this season Moore was the primary scorer for The Citadel's offense. P.J. Horgan added eight points and eight rebounds (five defensive) and Brian White contributed seven points and six boards (three offensive) for the Dogs.
 
The Citadel was unable to maintain its first half rhythm (11-26, 42.3%) in the second half as the Bulldogs closed the game by hitting 17-of-52 (32.7%) from the floor.
 
The Cadets took advantage of six UNCG turnovers to finish with 14 points and used 12 offensive caroms to edge the Spartans 9-6 in second chance points.
 
Seven points by Saddler inside the first eight minutes helped UNCG establish a 19-12 lead in the opening half.
 
White attempted to kick start The Citadel offense with a layup, following a pass from Horgan, but UNCG nixed the attempt as the lead stood at 27-20 with 6:22 left in the half.
 
It was there that Moore took over the offensive load for the Dogs, singlehandedly scoring 11 of the next 17 points, as The Citadel entered with a 37-36 halftime advantage. Horgan assisted his teammate with four points in the final minute of action as the Cadets led at the intermission for the first time since Samford (Jan. 8).
 
Moore closed out the first half with 20 points after finishing a perfect 10-of-10 at the free throw line. He was also 4-of-6 from the field, including a pair of 3-pointers.
 
The Citadel now takes to the road to play Samford on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. The Bulldogs then return home on Feb. 15 for the "Pack the Mac" game.
 
Among the events planned for the "Pack the Mac" contest are the opportunity to receive up to four free tickets and several giveaway items and on-court promotions, including a halfcourt shooting contest that can win a lucky fan $500 courtesy of Charleston Rental Properties (CRP). Along with title sponsor TD Bank, CRP and Balfour are serving as presenting sponsors for the game.