High Point closed out 2002 in exciting and impressive fashion with an 81-74 win over Piedmont Triad rival UNC Greensboro Tuesday night in men's basketball action at the Millis Center.

The Panthers won their second straight game behind Danny Gathings' fourth-consecutive double-double (27 points, 10 rebounds).

It was the first meeting between the schools, located just 16 miles apart, since the 1983-84 season. HPU now leads the all-time series, 5-1.

High Point came out of the gate smoking and built a 19-point lead behind the hot hands of Gathings (13 first-half points) and Kashawn Hampton (eight first-half points). The Panthers shot 57 percent from the floor and raced out to a 41-25 halftime advantage.

HPU pushed the lead as high as 23 points (54-31 with 14:31 left) before the Spartans (3-8) mounted a furious comeback. UNCG cut the lead to single digits with 4:47 to go on a Josh Gross layup that made it 66-57.

The Spartans continued to chip away, and pulled within 75-71 on a Jay Joseph three-pointer with 1:38 to play. But Joe Knight sealed things seconds later with a driving layup and free throw to complete a three-point play.

Hampton (13 points) and John Stonehocker (11 points) each posted career highs for HPU.

James Maye led UNCG with 18 points, while Joseph and Ray Bristow added 12 points apiece for the Spartans.

High Point opens conference play Saturday night at Radford. Tip-off in the Dedmon Center is set for 7:00 pm. Alan York and Lee Owen will have the call from courtside on WIST (98.3-FM in High Point).