University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men's Hoops Hosts Limestone on Sunday at 2 p.m.
12.05.2014 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team returns to action Sunday afternoon when the Bulldogs host NCAA Division II power Limestone at Kimmel Arena starting at 2 p.m.
Sunday's game can be seen for free on the Big South Digital Network by hitting this link. The game will be broadcast locally on WPEK Radio (880-AM) and can be heard on-line at iHeartRadio.
Asheville (2-4) looks to snap a three-game losing streak on Sunday. The Bulldogs have had the past week off for exams after a heartbreaking 66-63 overtime home loss to Charlotte. Nick McDevitt's club gave the 49ers all they wanted before falling on a last-second shot by Pierrria Henry.
There were plenty of bright spots in the loss to Charlotte. Sophomore guard Andrew Rowsey, the nation's leading scorer, led all scorers with 27 points. Senior center Jaleel Roberts had a double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 blocked shots. The 10 blocks ties a single-game record held by Kenny George and the 12 rebounds was a career-best. Freshman guard Kevin Vannatta added eight points and five assists with no turnovers.
“We did a lot of good things against Charlotte, and our effort was tremendous,” stated McDevitt. “We only had nine turnovers and competed on the boards against a very strong rebounding club. The only thing we didn't do was win but hopefully a game like Charlotte will make us a better team down the road.”
The Bulldogs turn their attention to the Saints on Sunday. Limestone is 2-3 on the year pending a game at King College Saturday night. McDevitt says the Saints have Asheville's full attention.
“Limestone is a team that went to the NCAA Division II tournament last year. They are well-coached and have some Division I transfers,” stated McDevitt. “We're going to have to play very well to get a win on Sunday. They have some good players and know how to win.”
Limestone is coached by former East Henderson standout Brandon Scott. They are led in scoring by sophomore forward Shaq Dance with a 17.0 scoring average. Asaad Woods is a good inside player and averages 14 points and seven rebounds per outing. Limestone downed Lees-McRae Wednesday night, 84-79. Dance had 21 points in the win and was 9-of-14 from the field.
Asheville is being led this season by Rowsey. The nation's top scorer is averaging 26.7 points per game. He's also knocking down 4.7 treys per game, which is tied for the national lead. Andrew has 808 career points entering Sunday's game and is on pace to become the first sophomore in school history to reach 1,000 career points. The program has had two players – Guy Batsel and Mickey Gibson – reach 1,000 career points in two years but both were transfers and did it in their senior year with the Bulldogs. Andrew has scored at least 20 points in his last eight games dating back to last season and has been in double figures in 34 straight contests. He was named Big South Player of the Week for the second time this year on Monday as he tallied 30 points at South Carolina and 27 vs. Charlotte.
Freshman forward Kem Ubaru is Asheville's scoring leading scorer with 12.0 mark. He's second on the team in rebounding at 6.3. Jaleel Roberts now leads the Bulldogs in rebounding (6.7) and blocks (18). His 3.00 per game mark tops the Big South.
BULLDOG NOTES
UNC Asheville is 37-9 all-time at Kimmel Arena and has led at halftime in its last 16 home games.
Asheville's win over East Carolina on Nov. 16 marked the fourth time in the last five years the Bulldogs have earned a win over a team from a power conference. The Dogs other wins have been against Auburn (2010-11), Utah (2011-12), St. John's (2012-13) and East Carolina (2014-15).
Sophomore guard David Robertson has scored in double figures in three consecutive games, scoring 13 points per game during those contests.
This is the second of four straight Sunday games for the Bulldogs. Asheville played Charlotte last Sunday (Nov. 30), Limestone (Dec. 7), at UAB (Dec. 14) and home to Western Carolina (Dec. 21).
Asheville has won its last 26 regular-season games against non-Division I teams.
Freshman forward Kem Ubaru has been the Big South Freshman of the Week twice this year. Andrew Rowsey has been named Player of the Week twice during the early part of the season.
