GAME NOTES: On the second day of the EMU Showcase, the UNC Greensboro Spartans get their shot against the host Eastern Michigan Eagles at the EMU Convocation Center on Saturday evening.

The Spartans just missed earning a victory in the first part of this three-day event, but they were dropped in overtime by Longwood, 81-79. UNCG is just 1-2 through the first three games, with a win over Chowan (76-62) and a loss to UNC-Wilmington on the ledger as well.

Eastern Michigan has won all three of its games this season, with a 71-62 triumph against Youngstown State on Friday being its most recent accomplishment.

This bout marks the first-ever meeting between these two programs.

Longwood's Darion Allen drilled a 3-pointer with 28 seconds left to play in overtime to sink UNCG's hopes against the Lancers. The Spartans shot a better percentage than Longwood in the contest, netting 43.9 percent to the Lancers' 41.9 percent. However, they turned the ball over 24 times and were outscored, 15-9, in second-chance points.

Tevon Saddler and RJ White continued their strong starts to the season in the losing effort. Saddler dropped in 19 points before fouling out. However, his scoring was dampened a bit by six turnovers. White posted 19 points and 10 rebounds in the losing effort, while turning the ball over three times. Clay Byrd drained 6-of-11 shots from beyond the arc to account for all 18 of his points. He also had the fewest turnovers of any starter, with just one. Nicholas Paulos needed 12 shots to get as many points and was guilty of five turnovers. Saddler (18.7 ppg) and White (18.3 ppg, 8 rpg) can be counted on to score every time out, but Kayel Locke (12 ppg) is the only player on the team averaging in double figures. Locke had eight points in the loss to Longwood.

In a game in which neither team shot particularly well, Eastern Michigan took advantage of plenty of chances at the free-throw line to take care of Youngstown State. The Eagles connected on 23-of-30 attempts at the charity stripe, while limiting the Penguins to only 12 foul shots. A 47-26 edge on the glass didn't hurt either, especially with each team shooting below 40 percent from the floor.

Karrington Ward helped tremendously in the scoring and rebounding categories against Youngstown State, recording 19 points and 11 rebounds. He got himself to the free-throw line plenty of times, with 7-of-10 shots falling from there. Ward has been a beast on the interior in the first three games, averaging 19 points and 10.3 rebounds per contest. Raven Lee, who scored 16 points against Youngstown State, is doing a fine job on offense as well, averaging 17 points per game. Anali Okoloji (11.3 ppg) upped his scoring average by matching Lee with 16 points on Friday.

If Ward continues to dominate the interior it may be downright impossible to knock off the Eagles this weekend.