University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Liberty
Bulldogs Hold Off Liberty, 75-72
02.11.2010 | Men's Basketball
The Bulldogs (11-14, 8-6 BSC) led for most of the way and by 16 in the first but had to survive a last-second three-point shot by the Flames that would have tied the game.
Chris Stephenson led Asheville with 16 points, while J.P. Primm added 15 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The sophomore guard hit a crucial three-pointer late in the game and knocked down two free throws with 6.9 seconds that helped the Bulldogs survive. Sean Smith added 14 points, while John Williams had his third double-double of the year with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The determined Flames (12-13, 7-6 BSC) were led by Evan Gordon with 16 points. Jesse Sanders and Kyle Ohman added 15 points each. Antwan Burris had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
The Bulldogs let a 15-point lead slip to two on a lay-up from Ohman with 2:48 to go in the game at 70-68. Liberty had a chance to tie but Burrus just missed a lay-up at the two-minute mark.
Primm then hit a long trey to push the Asheville lead to 73-68 with 1:47 left. The Flames kept coming and got a lay-up from Ohman to cut the lead to 73-70 at the 51-second mark. Asheville misfired on it next possession and Sanders scored in transition at the 7-second mark to cut the lead to 73-72.
Asheville got the ball to Primm who was immediately fouled with 6.9 seconds. He hit both free throws to give the Bulldogs a 75-72 lead. Liberty quickly moved the ball down court and got a good look from Jeremy Anderson but his shot was short. Stephenson claimed the rebound, and Asheville picked up its sixth straight home victory.
The Bulldogs were red-hot from the three-point line in the first half to take a 37-25 halftime lead. Asheville went 7-of-13 from the three-point line in the opening half. Stephenson led the Bulldogs with 11 points in the opening period. Liberty was as cold as it was outside as it shot just 26 percent (8-of-31) from the field.
Asheville held a 43-34 rebounding advantage. Freshman center D.J. Cunningham contributed eight rebound and four blocked shots to the win. The Flames outscored the Bulldogs 38-35 in the paint.
Asheville plays next against VMI at home on Saturday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. The Bulldogs will try end a three-game homecourt losing streak to the Keydets. Liberty travels to Gardner-Webb on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
