MOUNT OLIVE, North Carolina - The University of Mount Olive men's basketball team fell to North Greenville University 71-66 on Saturday afternoon in Conference Carolinas men's basketball action. UMO falls to 1-4, 1-4 on the season, while North Greenville improves to 2-2, 2-2.

INSIDE THE SCORE
Mount Olive opened the contest with the first bucket of the game on a Johnny Hughes III jumper. The Trojans then extended their lead to 11-6 before the first media timeout. NGU then scored six unanswered points to take their first lead of the game at 12-11 at the 12:37 mark. Following the under 12 minute media, the Crusaders offense exploded for 18 points to take a 33-16 advantage. UMO stopped the bleeding by ending the half on a 10-2 run taking the deficit to 37-28.

In the second half, the Crusaders lead hovered around single digits, but never fell below five until the nine minute mark. After a pair of Darius Spragley free-throws, UMO went on a 7-to-2 run bringing the NGU lead down to just 55-54 with 5:57 remaining in the game. The two squads exchanged baskets for the next 1:51 until the Trojans took the lead on two Matthias Caver free-throws at the 4:06 mark, leading 58-57. The lead changed hands four times before North Greenville slammed the door in the final 14 seconds scoring six unanswered to win the contest 71-66.

MOUNT OLIVE LEADERS
Alan Treakle led the Trojans with 21 points. Johnny Hughes III and Matthias Caver also added double-digit points with 15 and 10 points respectively.

NORTH GREENVILLE LEADERS
Jalon Cokley led North Greenville with 14 points.

KEY MOMENT
The game's key moment came when the NGU scored six unanswered to seal the win in the final seconds of the game.

UP NEXT
Mount Olive remains at Kornegay Arena as they will host Chowan University on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at 7:00 P.M. in a Conference Carolinas contest.