LEXINGTON, Va. – Looking for a second straight SoCon victory on Senior Day, the VMI basketball team fell by a close 71-68 score to visiting UNCG Saturday afternoon at Cameron Hall.
 
VMI (8-21, 3-13) led by a slim 38-35 margin at the half and led by as many as 11 with 8:26 left in the game but the Spartans (23-6, 13-3) caught a second wind and pushed ahead in the closing moments to pull out the come-from-behind victory over the Keydets.
 
With the three-point loss, VMI has now lost seven games this season by three or fewer points.
 
Freshman Travis Evee led the Keydets with 16 points on the afternoon while senior Garrett Gilkeson and freshman Sean Conway both scored 13. Evee finished 5-12 shooting for the day including three treys. Freshman Kamdyn Curfman, who finished with nine points, also poured in three treys while Conway scored nine of his 13 points from three-point range.
 
UNCG's Isaiah Miller was instrumental in leading the comeback for the Spartans as he finished with 23 points on 8-20 shooting and one three-pointer. Angelo Allegri scored 11 and Kyrin Galloway came away with a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
The Keydets return to action Wednesday with the home season finale at 7 p.m. against Chattanooga. VMI closes out the regular season next Saturday night at Samford before playing in the SoCon Tournament the ensuing week.
 
 
 
VMI head coach Dan Earl:
 
"We've had a few of these this year," said VMI head coach Dan Earl. "I thought our guys competed today. Credit UNCG. Wes Miller is doing a great job. They've been there before. They are used to winning games. They kind of took the game on and had a big offensive rebound and put back late in the game. You look back and say what we could have done differently, whether it's guys in the game or execution, but our guys are fighting and I am proud of them for battling.
 
"It comes down to making our shots. I think we were two for our last 11 and that's tough when you are going down the stretch.
 
"I am proud of our seniors (Will Miller, Tyler Creammer, Garrett Gilkeson) and what they've done and there's still basketball left with two games and the tournament. They have been a pleasure to coach and continue to work hard."