Women's Basketball Plays Exhibition Game on Monday

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville women's basketball team hits the court for its first and only exhibition game Monday evening when the Bulldogs host Bluefield at Kimmel Arena starting at 5:30 p.m. Monday's exhibition game will be video-streamed at www.uncabulldogs.com for a small fee.

Betsy Blose's club has been working hard since the start of practice in October. Asheville is a preseason pick to finish in last place in the Big South Conference. Coach Blose likes the way her team is preparing for the upcoming season.

We're in a lot better shape at this time of the year than we've been in the past," explained Blose. "First and foremost, all 13 of our players are healthy. We're not rehabbing or hoping to get someone ready by the first week of the season. All of our players are working hard in the preseason and are healthy.

"The chemistry of this team has just been great so far," Blose said. "Hopefully, we can keep it that way, but everyone has bought into what we're doing and how we're doing it. We're all on the same page."

The Bulldogs do have some holes to fill. Asheville graduated two starters who were both 1,000-point career scorers in guard Kendall Shepard and forward Lindsey Montgomery.

"We have some scoring and rebounding to replace and that won't be easy," said Blose. "But I really like the newcomers we've brought into the program. They're really working well with the veterans and everyone is determined to get better each day."

Asheville returns four starters from last year's team including senior guard Lindsey Thompson (10.8 ppg), junior forward Kelli Riles (11.1 ppg, & 10.3 rpg), junior guard Grace Blaylock (7.2 ppg) and junior guard Breaira Barksdale (6.7 ppg).

The Bulldogs have five freshmen on the roster and all will compete for playing time this year. Coach Blose looks forward to facing Bluefield in Monday's exhibition game.

"Bluefield has a new coach and a good team," commented Blose. "We'll have to play well. We're looking forward to playing somebody else in a game situation. And to play in our new Kimmel Arena should be extremely exciting."

Asheville opens the regular season this Saturday afternoon when the Bulldogs host Winston-Salem State at Kimmel Arena starting at 2 p.m.