Women's Basketball Travels to Presbyterian for Saturday Showdown

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville women's basketball team tips off the New Year at Presbyterian College at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at the Templeton Center in Clinton, S.C.

Saturday's game can be seen live, for free, on the Big South Network. Fans can also listen to the game on WPEK Radio (880-AM or iHeartRadio with the pre-game show at 1:45 p.m.

Asheville (3-9, 2-1 BSC) is in the midst of a four-game losing skid, and looking to bounce back from its first conference loss of the season against Liberty. Presbyterian College (6-6, 1-2 BSC) comes into the matchup coming off of a 58-45 loss to Campbell on December 30.

A year ago the Blue & White split its league tilts with the Blue Hose with each team winning on its home court. On January 30, Presbyterian captured a 55-41 victory over the Bulldogs in Clinton. Leah Wormack had a team-best nine points in the loss. In the first matchup of the season at Kimmel Arena on December 30, 2013, the Bulldogs defeated PC, 54-47. Tianna Knuckles poured in 21 points on 9-17 shooting, while Shonese Jones added 13 in the win.

Asheville will be looking to rebound from a 67-55 loss to league-leading Liberty at Kimmel Arena on December 30. Chatori Major scored a team-high 11 points, however, the Bulldogs were unable to overcome the inside presence of the Lady Flames as Ashley Rininger scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds for Liberty.

“Presbyterian is one of the most difficult teams to prepare for in the conference and they are especially tough to play on their home floor,” said head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick. “I have a lot of respect for the way they prepare for and play the game. I expect nothing less than one of the toughest games of the season.”

Presbyterian's difficulties come from their ability to defend the basketball. PC is limiting their opponents to just 47.8 points per game, while holding them to a 32.4 field goal percentage. The Bulldogs enter the game with a team field goal percentage of 37.4 for the season.

Shonese Jones continues to lead the Blue & White in scoring with a 10.1 scoring average, while Tianna Knuckles is contributing 9.8 points per game. Jeannie Buckner leads the team in rebounding with an average of 6.2per game, with KJ Weaver grabbing 5.7 rebounds per contest. Senior guard Brittany Gwyn leads the team in assists (35) and steals (16).

Freshman Janie Miles leads the Blue Hose with 9.6 markers per game, while junior Keyonna Allen is second on the team with an 8.9 scoring average. Sophomore guard Aianna Kelly leads PC in rebounding, pulling down 6.2 a game.