CHARLESTON, S.C. - Seniors Quinton Marshall and Derrick Henry each chipped in 20 points, but The Citadel (9-12, 2-6) could not overcome UNCG's hot shooting night and fell to the Spartans (8-13, 4-4), 102-95 at McAlister Field House on Thursday night.
 
Six Bulldogs scored in double figures for the first time against a Division I opponent this season as Warren Sledge, Zane Najdawi, Quayson Williams and Matt Frierson all tossed in 11 points apiece. Williams has scored at least 10 points in three consecutive outings for the first time in his career.
 
UNCG countered by shooting 52 percent from the field and rode a 60-point first half to victory. The Citadel manufactured a pair of second-half runs to cut the deficit within three twice, but the Spartans used a stiff rebounding edge and clutch buckets late to down the Bulldogs.
 
The opening frame was defined by a frenetic pace and finished with 113 total points scored. UNCG shot 21-of-34 and 7-of-13 from deep in the first half to build a lead. Freshman Matt Frierson provided a crucial lift off the bench to keep the Bulldogs in it early. He played just five minutes and scored all 11 of his points in the first half, including a pair of treys. His layup with 2:38 remaining in the frame sliced UNCG's lead to 50-48. The Spartans answered by closing the half on a 10-5 run.
 
Marshall and Henry started the second half with a bang by burying back-to-back treys to pull The Citadel within 62-59. Again, the Spartans responded as senior Kayel Locke captained an 8-0 spurt. Locke finished with a game-high 30 points.
 
UNCG cushioned its lead and led by 11 with eight minutes left in the contest until The Citadel swung the momentum by getting stops and earning trips to the free throw line. Henry made nine second-half free throws and shot 11-of-13 from the charity stripe for the game. His two free throws with 4:21 left cut the deficit to five and a three-pointer from Marshall on the ensuing offensive possession trimmed UNCG's edge to 88-86.
 
Locke and teammate Diante Baldwin fueled a late UNCG run that prevented The Citadel from completing its comeback attempt. The Bulldogs now turn to a date with rival VMI on Saturday. Tip off is set for 1 p.m. at McAlister Field House and a limited $5 ticket special is still available at PackTheMac.com.
 
Following the homestand, The Citadel travels to Chattanooga on Feb. 1 and Mercer on Feb. 6 before returning to McAlister on Feb. 8 to face Samford. For more information on The Citadel men's basketball, stay tuned to CitadelSports.com and follow @CitadelHoops.