University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldog Women Open Conference Play at Coastal Carolina on Saturday
01.02.2009 | Women's Basketball
CONWAY, S.C.?UNC Asheville women's basketball team opens up Big South Conference play at Coastal Carolina Saturday at 2 p.m. The game can be heard live in the Asheville area on AM-1310/970 WISE and can be seen to the Big South Edge for a small fee.
Asheville (3-9) will be trying to win its first road game of the season after dropping the first three games of its current five-game road trip. The trip concludes on Monday at Charleston Southern.
Ana Baker will be playing in her 100th career game on Saturday. The Dogs are 50-49 in games she has played. The only game she missed before this season was against Winthrop on Feb. 6, 2008. She missed three games earlier this season due to injury. Saturday will be her 67th start in that time. On Monday, Jessica Monroe will play in her 100th game. Monroe has played in 54 straight games which is the most on the team. Her last missed game was at Liberty on Feb. 3, 2007. She missed four games as a freshman.
Coastal Carolina went 8-5 during non-conference play and owns a 6-1 record at Kimbel Arena. The Chanticleers lead the Big South in scoring defense holding opponents to just 55.8 points per game. CCU also leads the conference in steals per game with 9.8 per contest. Amanda Stull is the only Chanticleer averaging in double figures with 10.8 points per game. Sydnei Moss is next at 8.8 points but leads the team in rebounding at 7.2 boards per game.
“It is always exciting to start conference play,” said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “Coastal is playing very well, especially at home but we have continued to get better throughout the non-conference schedule. Everyone is 0-0 now. Saturday is a chance to play well and get off to a fast start.”
Asheville and Coastal Carolina have split their 48 meetings, 24-24, since 1986. The Bulldogs have had an edge recently winning eight of the last 10 meetings. The two teams have split the last two regular seasons with the visitors winning both meetings in 2007 and the home teams winning in 2008. Betsy Blose holds an 8-5 advantage in the series since 2003.
