University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Liberty
Men's Basketball Falls at Liberty, 83-54
02.09.2008 | Men's Basketball
LYNCHBURG, VA. ? Liberty shot 68 percent from the field in the second half and became the first team in the Big South Conference to defeat UNC Asheville as the Flames rolled to an 83-54 victory before a packed crowd of 6,566 at the Vines Center Saturday night.
The Bulldogs (18-5, 7-1 BSC) had their seven-game winning streak snapped. The Flames (13-11, 5-4 BSC) remained unbeaten at home this year at 11-0.
A bright spot for UNC Asheville was senior guard K.J. Garland becoming the school's all-time leader in assists. He finished the game with 10 and now has 467. His assist to Sean Smith on a three-pointer in the first half gave him his 461st as he passed George Gilbert on the all-time career list.
“We just gave up way too many easy baskets in the second half,” commented UNC Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. “We did a nice job rallying from a tough start in the first half but didn't grind things out in the second half. We tried to shoot our way back in the game instead of playing basketball the right way.
“This is a tough league,” added Biedenbach. “Liberty is a good team and we knew tonight would be tough. We just didn't play well enough in any way to get a win.”
The Flames were 23-of-34 from the field in the second half at 68 percent. The Bulldogs shot just 30 percent (9-of-30) from the field in the second half.
Asheville had two players in double figures as Reid Augst led the Bulldogs with 12 points, while Sean Smith came off the bench to contribute 11 points.
Liberty had five players in double figures. Anthony Smith led the Flames with 18 points. Alex McLean enjoyed a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. B.J. Jenkins chipped in 13 points. Virginia transfer TeeJay Bannister had 12 points. Jeremy Anderson had 10 points.
The Bulldogs were ice cold early in the game and fell behind 14-1 after eight minutes. Thanks to Smith's three treys in the opening half, Asheville tied the game at 29-29 late in the first half before Bannister's two free throws gave the Flames a 31-29 halftime lead.
Asheville came out strong in the second half as Augst hit back-to-back treys to give the Bulldogs a 35-31 lead.
But Liberty hit its next nine field goals attempts to go on a 21-6 run and seize control of game and lead 52-41.
“We allowed penetration for easy baskets and then allowed penetration for wide-open three-pointers,” stated Biedenbach. “We didn't do a good job rebounding and just didn't play well enough on offense in the second half.”
The Bulldogs tried one more comeback and got to 56-48 on a Bryan Smithson trey at the 10-minute mark. Liberty put the game away with a 12-2 run and coasted from there to give Asheville its worst loss of the season.
“We need to play better and we will,” said Biedenbach. “Give Liberty all the credit. They have a good team and are well-coached.”
Asheville plays at High Point Wednesday night at 7 p.m. before returning home to host VMI on Saturday night starting at 7 p.m.
