MADRID, Spain – The UNCG men’s basketball team suffered its second loss to a national team in as many days as the Spartans battled Venezuela tough before falling 60-53 Sunday evening at Pabellon Jose Antonio Paraiso. The Spartans led the No. 25 ranked team in the FIBA rankings for almost 35 minutes until Venezuela rallied to close the game on a 14-2 run. The game was played with international basketball rules and was played with four 10-minute quarters.

Junior forward Kyle Cain led the Spartans in the loss as he posted a double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Cain connected on 9-of-14 from the field in 31 minutes of action while also handing out two assists. Junior Nicholas Paulos added 12 points in 33 minutes of action despite hitting just 3-of-13 from the field.

UNCG connected on 37.5 percent (21-of-56) from the field in the loss and out-rebounded Venezuela by a 39-38 margin. The Spartans committed 17 turnovers in the loss, which led to 17 points for Venezuela. Venezuela connected on 39.0 percent (23-of-59) from the field and missed its first 13 three-pointers but hit its final three three-pointers in the last five minutes of the game.

Venezuela was led by Nestor Colemenares with a double-double as he scored 11 points and grabbed 11 rebounds off the bench. Lenin Lopez chipped in 11 points while Jhornan Zamora added nine points in the victory.

The Spartans opened the first quarter with an 18-15 lead after the first 10 minutes as they scored the final five points of the period. Freshman Tevon Saddler hit a three-pointer and Cain nailed a jumper on the final possession to give the Spartans the lead. Cain scored eight points in the first 10 minutes of the game as UNCG connected on 53.3 percent from the field.

The Spartans maintained their lead at halftime with a 32-28 edge as they closed on a 7-2 run, including a Paulos three-pointer. Venezuela was held to just 37.5 percent from the field in the first half while UNCG held a 23-15 edge on the glass.

UNCG continued to control the game through the third quarter with a 43-36 lead after 30 minutes and held a 46-38 lead early in the fourth quarter. Venezuela pulled within one at 46-45, forcing a UNCG timeout. The Spartans tallied a 5-1 spurt out of the break as Paulos hit another three-pointer. Venezuela responded though with a 14-2 run over the final 5:20 of the game to pull out the victory.