University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Wofford
Bulldogs Hold on, Defeat Wofford, 70-63
11.17.2015 | Women's Basketball
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Behind a double-double including a career-high 24 points from junior Tianna Knuckles, the UNC Asheville women's basketball team held on late to defeat Wofford 70-63 Tuesday night at Johnson Arena. After leading by as many as 19 in the first half, Asheville's (1-1) lead was cut to as low as four with 40 seconds left. A pair of defensive stops and 3-of-4 shooting from the line in the final half minute helped seal the win for Asheville.
The Bulldogs return to Kimmel Arena to make their home debut Friday night when they host Montreat College at 7 p.m.
Sixteen of Knuckles' 24 points came in the first half as Asheville built up a 17-point halftime edge. The Bulldogs trailed 9-8 at the 4:30 mark in the first quarter but ended the frame on a 10-3 run to take an 18-12 lead. Asheville held onto the momentum using an 8-0 run to open up the second period. A jumper from junior Chatori Major as well as a pair of threes from Knuckles and junior Ja'Da Brayboy spurred the run, pushing Asheville's lead up to 26-12. After forcing 20 turnovers in their opener at East Tennessee State (Nov. 13), the Bulldog defense kept active again Tuesday, forcing 13 first-half Wofford turnovers and converting those into 14 points.
Knuckles converted on back-to-back open threes to begin the third period, giving her 22 points and setting a new career-high. Wofford's outside shooting kept them in the ballgame in the third quarter, trimming Asheville's lead to as low as 11. Freshman Sonora Dengokl's jumper with seconds remaining in the third helped extend the lead back up to 13.
In the fourth quarter, Asheville saw its lead dwindle to just five with 5:35 remaining. A quick 6-0 spurt from the Bulldogs, including a layup and a top of the key jumper from Dengokl and an inbounds-steal layup from Khaila Webb helped Asheville climb back in front by double digits. Dengokl finished with a career-high 12 points, her first game as a Bulldog in double-digit scoring.
After Wofford again cut the lead down to seven, Asheville answered back. A layup and one from Major allowed Asheville to go back up by 10. With the Bulldogs leading 66-56 with 1:43 remaining, the Terriers used a quick 7-1 run over the next 1:03 to slim Asheville's lead down to just four. Wofford had an opportunity to cut into the lead even further but a pair of defensive stops and 3-of-4 shooting at the line down the stretch helped Asheville earn its first win of the season.
The Bulldogs held a +22 edge on the backboards and gathered up almost as many offensive rebounds (18) as Wofford had defensive rebounds (19). Junior KJ Weaver pulled down nine rebounds, her second straight game this season grabbing nine boards. Sophomore Khaila Webb filled out the stat sheet, contributing 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals. Major backed up her career-high 16 points in the season opener with 10 points in Tuesday's contest.
Kentra Washington paced Wofford's attack, scoring 16 points.
Quote
“This was a hard earned road win against an experienced Wofford team. I was proud of our ability to stick out a great run that Wofford made at the end on offense and hit free throws down the stretch. There's a lot to learn from this game but I am proud of our kids for adjusting to some different lineups in the fourth quarter and getting the result.” – head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick
Notes
- Junior Tianna Knuckles recorded her first double-double of the season, pairing 24 points with 10 rebounds. 24 points including six made three pointers both set new career highs while her nine made field goals tied a career high. Tuesday marked her 31st career game scoring 10+ points.
- Junior Chatori Major reached double-figure scoring numbers for the second straight game to open the season. After scoring a career-high 16 points in the opener at East Tennessee State (Nov. 13), Major poured in 10 points Tuesday. Major scored in double-digits for the eighth time in her career.
- Sophomore Khaila Webb chipped in 10 points, her fourth career game scoring 10 or more. Dating back to last season, Webb has reached double-digit scoring in three of the last five games. She also tied a career-best, snagging six rebounds in Tuesday's win.
- Freshman Sonora Dengokl pitched in a career-high 12 points and six rebounds on 4-of-7 shooting from the floor.
- The Bulldogs outrebounded the Terriers, 49-27. Junior KJ Weaver collected nine boards, her second straight game grabbing that amount. Knuckles had a team-high 10 rebounds while Webb had six and senior Paige Love hauled in four.
