University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Charlotte
Men's Basketball Battles But Falls to Charlotte 86-70
11.13.2009 | Men's Basketball
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Charlotte used strong rebounding in the first half to build a lead and strong three-point shooting and free throw shootingin the second half to hold off UNC Asheville 86-70 in the season-opening game at Halton Arena Friday night.
The Bulldogs were led by a career-high 22 points from Chris Stephenson. J.P. Primm added 15 points for Asheville.
"We had a great effort tonight," stated UNC Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. "We battled the whole game but didn't play smart at times and it cost us. But we can and will get better."
The 49ers were led by Shammar Bowden with 21 points. He went 6-of-11 from the three-point line including four straight in the second half after Asheville had cut the lead to one point with 12 minutes left.
Center Phil Jones scored 16 points and 12 rebounds for Charlotte. He had a double-double in the first half with 10 points and 10 rebounds. The 49ers dominated the boards in the first half with a 32-15 advantage.
Asheville trailed 40-27 at halftime but the Bulldogs, led by Stephenson, cut the lead to 48-47 with 11 minutes left in the game. The sophomore forward scored 12 straight points and back-to-back treys to get within one point.
But Bowden knocked down four straight treys over the next two minutes to get the lead to 60-50.
"We lost Bowden a couple of times and he made us pay," said Biedenbach. "We also took some quick shots and that got Charlotte rolling."
The Bulldogs kept battling and crept to 74-67 with 2:10 left on a Primm three-pointer. But Charlotte hit 18 straight free throws in the final five minutes to close Asheville out.
The 49ers went 33-of-40 from the free throw line, while the Bulldogs were just 5-of-10 from the charity stripe.
The Bulldogs played the game without starting forward John Williams who did not play due to sickness. He did not make the trip.
UNC Asheville plays next Tuesday night at #11 Tennessee starting at 7 p.m.
