Bulldogs Host Chanticleers in Saturday Big South Matchup

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville women's basketball team returns to the court on Saturday afternoon when the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers travel to Kimmel Arena for a 2:00 p.m. contest.

Saturday's game will be video-streamed live and can be seen on the Big South Network. Additionally the game can be heard on WPEK Radio (880-AM).

Asheville (4-14, 3-6 BSC) is coming off a tough two-point loss, 67-65, against Radford last Tuesday. There were eight ties and eight lead changes in the game which was decided in the final minute of action. The Bulldogs protected the basketball very well against the Highlanders with a season-low six turnovers. Coastal Carolina (10-8, 4-5 BSC) has won three-straight game, including a 50-40 win over Campbell on January 20.

"Coastal Carolina is playing well and have one of the better scoring offenses in the conference,” said head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick. “We are excited about another opportunity and we will also be welcoming back some of our alum so that tomorrow will be a great opportunity to celebrate the past and cheer on the present in Kimmel Arena."

Senior Shonese Jones connected on a season-high five threes against Radford and tallied a team-best 18 points. Jones continues to lead the team in scoring with an 11.2 average for the season and has increased her average to 12.1 in league games. Sophomore Tianna Knuckles got back on track, scoring 12 points against Radford. Knuckles is the team's second leading scorer with 8.9 points per game.

Sophmore KJ Weaver leads the Bulldogs in rebounding with a 6.2 average. Over the last five games, Weaver is averaging eight rebounds per contest. Weaver also leads the team with 18 blocks this season. Senior Brittany Gwyn leads the team in assists (47) and steals (24).

Coastal Carolina owns a 32-28 lead in the all-time series with Asheville, including the last five straight. The last win for the Blue & White came on January 7, 2012, a 69-60 win. Senior Leah Wormack recorded a double-double on that night with 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The Chanticleers are led by senior guard A.J. Jordan who leads the Big South in scoring with 16.6 points per game on the year. Jordan also leads the conference with a 19.3 average in league games. Jordan is one of four player who average double-figures in scoring for Coastal Carolina who average 73.9 points per game which is tops in the Big South.

BULLDOG NOTES

Senior guard Shonese Jones is currently the Big South's all-time active career leading scorer with 1,228 points. Shones needs seven points to pass Mechio Kornegay and Emily Hill for 7^th place on UNC Asheville's all-time scoring list.

KJ Weaver has tallied nine rebounds in three of the last five games for the Bulldogs.

Ten Bulldogs average over 11 minutes of playing time per game, with Brittany Gwyn playing a team-high 30.7 minutes per game.