Bulldogs Sizzle in Second Half, Win at Coastal Carolina, 82-77 - UNC Asheville Bulldogs Official Athletics Site

Feb. 22, 2007

CONWAY, S.C. - UNC Asheville shot a sizzling 77 percent from the field in the second half to pick up an 82-77 road victory over Coastal Carolina Thursday night at Kimbel Arena.

The win (10-18, 5-8 BSC) was the Bulldogs first at Coastal Carolina in six seasons. Asheville had five players in double figures as junior guard K.J. Garland led the way for the visitors with 18 points. Vincent James contributed 15 points, while 7-7 center Kenny George posted 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field. Reid Augst and Bryan Smithson added 11 points each.

The win also snapped a four-game losing streak to Coastal Carolina (15-13, 7-6 BSC). The Chanticleers were led by a career-high 27 points from Moses Sonko.

Asheville was 20-of-26 from the field in the second half as the Bulldogs overcame an eight-point deficit to record the win. Coastal Carolina led 35-27 at halftime and 33-22 late in the first half.

"I'm really proud of our guys tonight," said UNC Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. "We did a great job battling all night long and found a way to win against a very good team on the road. Our guys just wouldn't be denied in the second half.

"Obviously we shot the ball very well in the second half but we did a solid job on the boards and ran our offense to perfection," added Biedenbach. "We're starting to come together and now is the time you want to play better."

The Bulldogs trailed 35-27 at halftime after making 11 unforced turnovers in the opening half. Sonko had 16 points in the first half.

But Asheville quickly came back in the second half and a 9-0 run gave the Bulldogs a 46-43. Garland led the run with seven points.

Coastal Carolina came back and took its last lead when Joshua Mack sank a trey at the 11:01 mark to make it 52-51. The Bulldogs quickly surged back with nine straight points to go in front, 60-52. Smithson led this run with seven points.

The Chanticleers were able to get to five on three occasions but Augst got a big lay-up and a three-pointer with 57 seconds left to push the lead to 79-71. The Bulldogs went 3-of-4 down the stretch to seal the victory.

Garland finished the game with five assists and moved into seventh place on the school's all-time career list with 316. The Bulldogs also shot well from the three-point line as they went 6-of-9 for 66 percent. They were 4-of-5 from the beyond the arc in the second half for 80 percent. Asheville out-rebounded Coastal Carolina, 33-28 and it marked the fifth straight game the Bulldogs have won a rebounding battle.

UNC Asheville finishes the regular season Saturday afternoon at Charleston Southern starting at 5:30 p.m.