Bulldogs Hold on to Defeat Presbyterian 68-64

CLINTON, S.C.-- Kendall Shepard made two free throws in the final ten seconds and scored a season-high 12 points to lift UNC Asheville to a 68-64 victory over Presbyterian Saturday afternoon.

Chioma Okoli who scored 11 points in the game for her third-straight double-figure scoring game scored on an offensive rebound with 36 seconds left to give Asheville (8-8) a 66-64 lead. On Presbyterian's (1-16) next possession, the Blue Hose had two shots at the basket but came up empty; Stacy Shepard pulled down the rebound and got the ball to Kendall Shepard who was fouled with 10 second left. Shepard hit the first free throw and missed the second but stole the outlet pass and was fouled again with 4.9 seconds left. Again, Shepard hit the first and missed the second but it was enough for Asheville to end a three-game losing streak.

Jessica Monroe led the Dogs with 15 points and a career high 10 rebounds for her first career double-double. Arescia Moore matched season highs with 10 points and nine rebounds to give Asheville four players in double-figures. Both of Moore's 10 point games this season have been against PC.

PC was led by 15 points from Katlin Moore who scored the Blue Hose last basket to tie the game at 64 with 2:18 left to play. Lea Smith and Taylor Price both fouled out with 12 and 10 points respectively. Bridget Takack added 11 points as PC dropped its ninth straight game.

“I am proud of the way we battled today,” said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “We are fighting through some adversity right now. Our young players saw more minutes and responded well to the challenge. We played with toughness. It wasn't always pretty but when the game was on the line, we found a way to win. This is a road win that we really needed. Presbyterian played very hard and I thought we matched their intensity.”

Asheville used a 9-2 run midway through the first half to break open a 17-17 tie and take a 26-19 lead with 8:32 left in the half. PC cut the lead to three points four different times including a jumper by Moore with 30 seconds left in the half. Okoli hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to send the Dogs into the locker room with a 37-31 lead.

In the second half, Kendall Shepard gave Asheville its largest lead at 54-47 on a jumper with 9:41 left. PC responded with a 9-1 run to take it first lead of the second half with 6:35 to play. The Blue Hose would grow the lead to 62-59 with 3:35 left but would only get one more basket the rest of the way. Shepard drained a three-pointer to tie the game for the seventh time setting up the final two minutes of the game.

With the win, Coach Blose ties Charlene Curtis for ninth place on the Big South's all-time wins list with her 84^th win as Bulldog head coach. She now has 198 career victories.

The Bulldogs will return to the Justice Center on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. game against USC Upstate in the final non-conference game of the season.

NOTES: The win was Asheville's first win outside the state of North Carolina since Feb. 24, 2007...The Bulldogs played with seven players as Arescia Moore made the first start of her career...Stacy Shepard now has 618 career rebounds, five shy of sixth place on Asheville's all-time list...Kendall Shepard played 39 minutes becoming the first Bulldog to play 39 minutes since Ashton Barton on March 4, 2006 in a game that went into overtime...Asheville is 3-0 all-time against PC who will join the Big South next season. The Dogs went 1-3 on the road trip and are 2-7 away from the Justice Center this season.

Bulldogs Hold on to Defeat Presbyterian 68-64

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Players Mentioned

Ashton Barton

Jessica Monroe

Arescia Moore

Chioma Okoli

Kendall Shepard

Stacy Shepard

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Bulldogs Hold on to Defeat Presbyterian 68-64

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Players Mentioned

Ashton Barton

Jessica Monroe

Arescia Moore

Chioma Okoli

Kendall Shepard

Stacy Shepard

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