Jones Leads Asheville Past GWU, 74-62

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Reigning Big South Conference Freshman of the Week Shonese Jones scored a game-high 27 points while fellow underclassman Leah Wormack recorded her second career double-double as the two helped lead UNC Asheville past Gardner-Webb, 74-62, on Saturday afternoon at Kimmel Arena.

Wormack posted 10 points and 11 rebounds while senior guard Lindsey Thompson scored 12 and dished out seven assists en route to the 12-point victory. With the victory Asheville improves to 7-11 overall with a 3-4 mark in conference play while the Runnin' Bulldogs drop to 2-15 on the year with a 1-6 mark in the Big South.

“This was one of the best starts we've had all season,” said UNC Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “We were able to get a lot of stops defensively early and also get out in transition and put some points up. Gardner-Webb fought back and showed a lot of heart, refusing to go away. Still it is a good win at home as we're trying to build some momentum at Kimmel (Arena).”

The Bulldogs started the game strong offensively, outscoring GWU 32-10 over the first 10 minutes. Asheville pushed its lead to as much as 26 with 3:34 remaining before eventually taking a 39-20 lead into the half.

However, Gardner-Webb would not go down quietly. The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to grind down the Asheville lead little by little over the first part on the second half, pulling to within 10 points at 63-53 with 7:58 remaining.

With just over four minutes to go the Runnin' Bulldogs pulled to with six points of Asheville on a pair of free throws by Catrina Green, but the Blue & White Bulldogs would settle down offensively and finish the game on a 9-to-5 run.

Green scored a career-high 22 points for GWU, with Kiki Smith chipping in 13 and Tabby Koerner adding 10. Green led all Runnin' Bulldogs in rebounds as well, posting 16 on the day.

The Bulldogs will next be in action one week from today when they host Big South foe Liberty on Saturday, Jan. 28, at Kimmel Arena. Game time is set for 2 p.m. between the Flames and the Bulldogs.

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Players Mentioned

Shonese Jones

Lindsey Thompson

Leah Wormack

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics