GAINESVILLE, Fla.?UNC Asheville's women's basketball team makes it first Florida appearance since 2003 this weekend when the Bulldogs face Alabama A&M in the first round of the University of Florida State Farm Classic on Friday, Dec. 28. The game will be broadcast in the Asheville area on AM-1310 WISE at 4:15 p.m.
The first game of the tournament will be a battle of Bulldogs as Asheville faces Alabama A&M at 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The nightcap will feature Holy Cross and the host Gators at 7 p.m.
Asheville (7-5) will be playing its first game in a week since a 66-60 victory over Mercer on Dec. 21. Senior Stacy Shepard had a season-high 19 points and matched her career best with 15 rebounds against the Bears. She has posted double-doubles in three of the last four games for the Dogs.
Alabama A&M (1-6) has played six of its first seven games on the road after a 76-72 loss at Murray State on Dec. 22. The Bulldogs only win is an impressive 67-63 victory over Chattanooga in their only home game. Katrich Williams leads A&M in scoring at 11.0 points per game while Felicia Drummond is scoring 10 points and grabbing six rebounds points per game. The Bulldogs are being out rebounded by seven rebounds per game.
On Saturday, the winners of Friday's games will face each other for the tournament title while the losers will play in the consolation game. Holy Cross will play in the 4:30 p.m. game and Florida will play in the 7 p.m. game and their opponents will be decided after Friday's action.
“This is another test for our young team,” said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “Don't let A&M's record fool you, they are a dangerous team. If you can beat Chattanooga you can beat a lot of teams. They have played on the road most of the year and we are going to have to play very well to win. I think this will be a competitive tournament and a great learning experience for our team.”
Asheville will be playing in its third regular season tournament of the year. The Dogs have placed third in each of the first two tournaments losing on Friday but coming back to win on Saturday.
“We have shown we can bounce back and win after a loss,” says Blose. “I would still like for us to learn that winning the first game is important. We play these tournaments to prepare for the Big South Tournament. There if you lose the first game you don't get a chance to bounce back, so we have to do a better job in the opening game.”
Asheville has not faced any of the teams in the State Farm Classic before this weekend. The Dogs have not been to the Sunshine State since Dec. 29, 2003 when Asheville beat Jacksonville 64-41.
Saturday's game will be an internet only broadcast on uncabulldogs.com. The broadcast will begin fifteen minutes before either the 4:30 p.m. or the 7 p.m. broadcast. Stay tuned to uncabulldogs.com for broadcast information.
