University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Carson-Newman
Baker Nets 21; Dogs Fall to Carson-Newman
01.07.2009 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C.?Ana Baker scored 21 points had seven assists, and six steals but it was not enough as the Bulldogs playing their third game in five days could not hold off Carson-Newman 78-74 on Wednesday night.
Baker fouled out with six seconds left finished the night with 342 career assists just one shy of tying Vicki Giffin for the Asheville division I assist record. She had a season-high six steals giving her 229 for her career, 15 shy of the school record.
“Ana led us tonight. She had a terrific game,” said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “We made too many mistakes tonight. Turnovers really hurt us and we fouled way too much. Give Carson-Newman credit, they are good team and they made their free throws. But tonight we just did not have the same energy we had on Monday.”
Asheville (4-11) shot a season-high 53 percent from the floor marking the first time in 46 games that the Dogs shot better than 50 percent from the floor. But that was outweighed by 25 turnovers and 22 fouls committed by the Bulldogs.
Carson-Newman (10-3) went 14-for-16 from the foul line in the second half after missing all five foul shots in the first half. The Eagles made their final 14 consecutive free throws. Asheville only went to the line nine times all night making 4-of-9.
Shari Buford led the way for the Eagles with 18 points and six rebounds while Mandy Mendenhall had 17 points and Ashley Kyle added 15 points. The trio combined to go 13-for-15 from the foul line on the night.
Chioma Okoli netted 15 points and seven rebounds for Asheville and Lindsey Montgomery added 12 points. Jessica Monroe was just shy of double figures with nine points and nine rebounds.
Asheville will return to Big South action on Saturday as it hosts Garner-Webb at 2 p.m.
