Longwood To Visit Asheville For Non-Conference Battle

ASHEVILLE, N.C. -- On Monday evening the UNC Asheville women's basketball team will welcome non-conference foe Longwood to the Justice Center on the campus of the Bulldogs as the two teams will play game one of a home-and-home series against the Lancers beginning at 7 p.m.

Asheville (8-9) is coming off of a 71-64 setback against Big South Conference foe Winthrop on Saturday afternoon at the Justice Center. The Bulldogs led by eight points heading into the second half but was outscored 36-21 in the second half to drop to 1-4 in league play.

“We got off to a great start but to Winthrop's credit they slowed us down and got the job done,” said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “We've got to start to learn to win some home games. Winthrop's defense was outstanding in the second half.”

At one point the Bulldogs were 4-2 at home but have dropped four consecutive games at the Justice Center.

Longwood is currently 3-13 on the season and is 0-7 on the road. The Lancers are also 0-3 against Big South opponents having fallen to High Point, Gardner-Webb and Liberty earlier this season.

Asheville is led on offense by seniors Kendall Shepard (14.8 ppg) and Lindsey Montgomery (13.6 ppg). Lindsey Thompson is averaging 12.6 and Kelli Riles averaging 12.3 points per game giving Asheville four players in the top 10 in the conference in scoring.

Riles is also averaging a double-double on the season as she leads the league in rebounding with 10.8 per contest.

The Bulldogs are also 7-5 against non-conference opponent this season, with their last loss coming at Marquette on Dec. 18 in Milwaukee, Wis.

Offensively the Lancers are led by Brittani Billups who is averaging 11.5 ppg with a field goal percentage of 37.9. Billups also leads the team in rebounds averaging 6.6 per game.