University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
East Tennessee State
Women's Basketball Falls to ETSU, 81-68
11.14.2014 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – ETSU placed five players in double figures as the Lady Bucs used a strong second-half to down UNC Asheville 81-68 in the opening game of the season at Kimmel Arena Friday evening.
The Bulldogs (0-1) were led by sophomore Tianna Knuckles with 19 points. KJ Weaver added 10 points and six rebounds.
The Lady Bucs (1-0) got a game-high 21 points from Tianna Tarter. Destiny Mitchell added 16 points and nine rebounds. Shamauria Bridges chipped in 15 points, while Maria Bond came off the bench to chip in 14 points.
The game was tied 38-38 at halftime. ETSU went on a 9-0 run early in the half to seize control of the game at 51-42. They expanded the lead to 66-49 on a Mitchell lay-up at the 9:14 mark
Asheville rallied and crept to 71-64 with 2:56 left on a lay-up from Chatori Major. But that was close as the home team could get as the Bucs went 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final minute to earn the road victory.
The visitors shot 60 percent (12-of-20) from the field in the second half and .519 (27-of-52) for the contest.
Knuckles scored all 19 of her points in the opening half as Asheville built a 24-18 lead. The sophomore guard scored 11 straight points for the Blue & White.
ETSU used red-hot three-point shooting in the opening half to get back into game. They went 5-of-10 from long distance to take a 38-34 lead before the Bulldogs scored the final four points of the half to knot the game at 38-38.
UNC Asheville starts a two-game road trip on Tuesday when the Bulldogs travel to MEAC favorite North Carolina A&T at 6 p.m.
