University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina Holds Off Bulldogs 64-57
01.19.2009 | Men's Basketball
CONWAY, S.C. ? Anthony Breeze scored 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds as Coastal Carolina held off a determined UNC Asheville comeback Monday night to post a 64-57 win at Kimbel Arena.
The Bulldogs trailed 35-21 at halftime but roared back to the game twice before Breeze scored five straight points to give the Chanticleers the lead for good.
UNC Asheville (8-11, 4-4 BSC) was led by Reid Augst with 15 points. Matt Dickey finished with 12 points, while Sean Smith added 11 points.
“We made a nice comeback but we shouldn't have down by 14 points at halftime,” commented UNC Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. “We have really struggled in the first half of our last few games and that has to change.
“Our guys did a good job battling back but when we got it tied, we took some bad shots and let them (Coastal Carolina) get second and third shots and score,” added Biedenbach.
The Bulldogs had a chance to tie or pull within one at 60-57 but Matt Dickey was called for a charge with 17.7 seconds left. The Chanticleers sealed the victory by going 4-for-4 from the free throw line in the final 16 seconds.
Augst hit two free throws to tie the game at 49-49 at the 6:54 mark but Breeze hit a free throw, missed the second but got the rebound and scored to give the Chants the lead for good at 52-49.
Coastal Carolina (8-11, 2-5 BSC) out-rebounded the Bulldogs 43-34.
The Chanticleers took charge of the game in the final 10 minutes of the first half. Tied at 13-13, Coastal Carolina outscored Asheville 22-8 to sprint to a 35-21 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs were ice cold from the field in the opening half as they shot just 26 percent (7-of-27). The home team dominated the boards 26-15 and outscored Asheville 18-0 in the paint.
UNC Asheville is home Saturday night against Big South newcomer Presbyterian starting at 7 p.m. The game will be televised regionally by SportSouth.
