Men's Basketball Hosts High Point Tuesday Night

ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? The UNC Asheville men's basketball team is at home Tuesday night for a key Big South Conference battle with High Point at Justice Center starting at 7 p.m. The game will be broadcast on WISE (1310-AM) and video-streamed for a small fee on The Edge at www.bigsouthsports.com.

The Bulldogs (7-9, 3-2 BSC) have won three of their last four games before falling 98-88 in overtime at Radford Saturday. UNC Asheville put forth a great effort in the Radford game as it trailed the entire way but just couldn't finish off the Highlanders in overtime.

“We battled hard against a good Radford team on the road and came up just a little short,” stated Bulldog coach Eddie Biedenbach. “Hopefully, we learn from that game and become a little better. It was a tough loss but it's time to turn the page and get ready for High Point.”

The Panthers (5-10, 1-4 BSC) picked up an impressive 42-40 road win against Winthrop last week before falling to Gardner-Webb at home Saturday night, 60-57. Junior guard Eugene Harris leads High Point in scoring with a 12.8 average. Cruz Daniels is one of the top inside players in the league. Daniels leads the league in blocked shots with 40 and is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game. The junior center is also shooting 57 percent (46-of-80) from the field.

UNC Asheville has had a tough time with High Point over the years. The Panthers have won six of the last seven meetings against the Bulldogs.

“High Point always gives us fits and has been a tough opponent,” commented Biedenbach. “We're going to have to be ready to play from the start. High Point plays good defense and does a great job on the boards.”

The Bulldogs have played the past two games without forward John Williams. The sophomore has been out with an illness but is expected back for Tuesday night's game. He leads Asheville in rebounding (5.9 per game) and blocked shots (29).

“We missed John in both games but it did give some other people a chance to play and the responded,” added Biedenbach.

Freshman Chris Stephenson has played impressively during Williams' absence. The rookie guard had two excellent games against Gardner-Webb and Radford. He came close to a triple-double at Gardner-Webb with 10 points, seven assists and six rebounds. The Florida native followed up at Radford with 14 points, six rebounds and two assists. His performance from last week earned him Big South Freshman of Week honors on Monday.

Senior forward Reid Augst is having a great final season for the Bulldogs. He leads Asheville in scoring with a 15.6 mark. Augst needs just eight points to reach 900 for his career. The Richmond, Va. native is averaging 22 points per game in league games. J.P. Primm is second in the league in assists with 78 and averaging 13.8 points per game during league contests.

NOTES ? Eddie Biedenbach goes for his 100^th Big South Conference win against High Point on Tuesday as he has a 99-74 BSC career mark...the Bulldogs are shooting 51 percent from the field in league play...Augst is shooting 61 percent in five league games...Asheville has won 22 of its last 26 home games...the Bulldogs are on the road for their next two games at Winthrop (Jan. 17) and Coastal Carolina (Jan. 19).

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Men's Basketball Hosts High Point Tuesday Night

Related News

Players Mentioned

Reid Augst

J.P. Primm

Chris Stephenson

John Williams

Related Videos