ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? The UNC Asheville men's basketball team is back in action Thursday night when the Bulldogs host Campbell University at Justice Center starting at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on WISE Radio (1310-AM) and can be seen via video-streaming LIVE on the Big South EDGE for a small fee.
Asheville is off to its best start in 23 years at 6-2. The Bulldogs have not played since a 65-51 loss at Virginia Tech on Dec. 1 due to exams. Head Coach Eddie Biedenbach is looking forward to playing a game again.
“It's been awhile since we've played so we're looking forward to getting back on the court,” stated Biedenbach. “We're going to face a tough challenge in Campbell.”
This is the second time the teams have played this year as the Bulldogs won at Campbell back on Nov. 17, 83-71. Asheville trailed by 12 in the first half before rallying in the second half to earn just its second win in Buies Creek in 12 tries. Kenny George became the first Bulldog player in school history to record a triple-double with 20 points, 12 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. K.J. Garland tallied a season-high 23 points.
Campbell is 2-5 on the season after a 75-68 loss at Radford Saturday night. The Camels are led by talented sophomore forward Jonathan Rodriguez. Rodriguez is averaging a double-double this year. He's averaging 19.3 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. Guard Reggie Bishop in averaging 13 points per game.
The Bulldogs have four players in double figures as senior guard Bryan Smithson leads with a 16.4 average. Garland is right behind him at 16.3, while senior forward Vincent James has a 12.9 average. George is at 12.3 points per game and is second in the nation in field goal percentage at 75.6 percent (31-of-41). The junior center has missed the last two games with a foot injury but is expected to play Thursday night.
Asheville forward Reid Augst is second in the nation in free throw percentage at 96 percent (24-of-25). He'll enter the Campbell game with a streak of 22 consecutive made free throws. The school record is 24 held by Andre Smith.
NOTES ? Eddie Biedenbach has 149 victories as UNC Asheville head coach and his next win will tie him with Jerry Green for second all-time in wins at the school...Sean Smith is shooting 50 percent (17-of-34) from the three-point line...the Bulldogs have been out-rebounded in three of their last four games...Campbell leads the all-time series 17-12.
