College Basketball

VMI downs UNC-Greensboro 86-72 with big first half

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

LEXINGTON, Va. (AP) QJ Peterson scored 19 points with five assists to lead a balanced attack and VMI used a big first half to beat UNC-Greensboro 86-72 on Thursday night to end a six-game skid.

Tim Marshall scored 16 points and made four 3-pointers, Julian Eleby added 13 points with six assists, and Phillip Anglade and Austin Vereen scored 12 apiece for the Keydets (7-17, 2-11 Southern Conference).

VMI pulled ahead early on a 13-4 run in which Marshall hit two 3-pointers, then led 27-13 after a 12-3 run. Marshall hit all four of his 3s in the first half and the Keydets shot 56.3 percent in building a 44-27 halftime lead.

The Spartans gained on a 10-2 run early in the second half, but VMI kept pace with 3s by Eleby and Peterson and stayed ahead by double digits most of the way.

RJ White tied his career best with 24 points to lead the Spartans (9-17, 5-8).