GAME NOTES: The EMU Showcase event at the Eastern Michigan Convocation Center will kick off Friday with a non-conference matchup featuring the UNC Greensboro Spartans taking on the Longwood Lancers.

UNC Greensboro has amassed a 1-1 record through the team's first two contests, winning a season-opening contest against Chowan and then dropping an 84-72 game to UNC Wilmington on Tuesday. The Spartans won't return home to Greensboro until a contest on Dec. 1.

Longwood is also sitting on a 1-1 record two games into the season. The Lancers, of the Big South Conference, took down Averett to open the season last Friday, but then dropped a contest to James Madison, 82-60, in the team's latest outing.

This contest between Greensboro and Longwood will be the ninth in series history. Longwood has the advantage in the all-time series, 6-2, but lost the last game to UNCG, 65-58, in 1991.

The Spartans clashed with UNC Wilmington on Tuesday, and UNCG didn't have the greatest time on defense limiting the opponent. UNCW shot 65.3 percent from the floor in the contest, and made 7-of-10 shots from 3-point range in the win. Kayel Locke turned in a solid performance for the Spartans, netting 22 points to lead the team with eight rebounds, connecting on 12-of-16 from the free- throw line. RJ White and Tevon Saddler (who started 27 games as a true freshman last season) each contributed 16 points. Saddler dished out six assists, but turned the ball over seven times in the defeat.

In two starts, Saddler is the team's scoring leader with an 18.5 ppg average, adding in nine assists and 11 turnovers. He's shadowed closely by White, who sports an 18.0 ppg average through two contests. His 7.0 rpg average is the team's best entering the upcoming clash. Locke is third on the squad with 14.0 ppg, adding in 5.5 rpg.

Longwood fell behind to James Madison early, and trailed the Dukes by six points heading into halftime. It was a manageable situation for the Lancers, but the team came out cold in the second half. The Dukes went ahead and scored 44 points in the second half to bury the Lancers, who shot 41.5 percent from the floor in defeat. Darrion Allen contributed a team-best 20 points in the loss, while Lotanna Nwogbo added 12 points and seven rebounds. Shaquille Johnson rounded out the team's double-digit scorers with 10 points against the Dukes.

Role player Ryan Badowski hasn't started a game this season, but his 21-point outburst in the team's opening contest against Averett gives his scoring average a serious boost. The freshman currently leads the Lancers with a 15.0 ppg average after that opening night (he scored nine points against JMU). Allen is contributing 13.0 ppg, Nwogbo is scoring 12.5 ppg, and Johnson brings rounds out the double-digit scorers with 11.0 ppg this season. Nwogbo's 6.5 rpg average is the team's best through two games.

The Spartans will need a strong all-around showing from multiple players in this contest, but should get more scoring from Saddler and Locke, assuming Saddler can cut down on his turnovers from last game. Longwood is in the same boat and needs contributions from more than just three players. UNCG has a deeper lineup, and will utilize it well in this first-round tournament game.