University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Bulldogs Face Coastal Carolina in Semifinals of Big South Tournament
03.04.2010 | Men's Basketball
CONWAY, S.C. - The UNC Asheville men's basketball team arrived in Myrtle Beach on Wednesday to prepare for the Bulldogs' Big South Conference Tournament semifinal appearance against top-seeded Coastal Carolina Thursday night at Kimbel Arena starting at 8 p.m. The game will be televised nationally by ESPNU and broadcast on WISE Radio (1310-AM) starting with the pre-game show at 7:30 p.m.
Asheville advanced to the semifinals of the tournament for the fourth straight year with an 84-73 victory over High Point Tuesday night at Justice Center. J.P. Primm led the Bulldogs with 23 points and 11 assists. Asheville faces a pretty big challenge on Thursday as the Chanticleers bring a 27-5 record into the game and routed the Bulldogs last month, 98-62 at Kimbel Arena.
The winner of the Asheville-Coastal Carolina game will play the winner of the Radford-Winthrop game this Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. for the Big South Conference championship and trip to the NCAA Tournament. The game will be played at highest seeded team remaining after Thursday night.
"We played very well on Tuesday night against High Point but we're going to have to play even better to have a chance to beat Coastal Carolina," commented Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. "They (Coastal Carolina) play great defense and rebound the ball very well, too. We know it's going to be a tough test for us on Thursday night."
The Bulldogs have been one of the hottest teams in the league in the second half of the season. Asheville was 3-12 in the first half of the year but recovered to go 12-3 in the last 15 games.
"We've done a good job turning the season around," added Biedenbach. "I'm proud of our guys for battling and grinding things out and getting better. Hopefully, we've got a few more wins in us this week."
This is the sixth time the teams have played in the Big South Tournament with Asheville holding a 3-2 advantage. This is the third time in the last five years have met and first time they've played in the semifinals since the 1989 tournament.
NOTES - Primm became the first Bulldog to ever have a double-double in points and assists with his 23 points and 11 assists against High Point on Tuesday...Asheville is 4-3 in road tournament games under Eddie Biedenbach...the Bulldogs have out-rebounded four of their last five opponents...Asheville has lost three straight games at Kimbel Arena...the Bulldogs lead the Big South in blocked shots (5.7) and assists (16.5) per game.
