University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Loyola Chicago
Bulldogs Run Past Loyola; Finish Third in Great Alaska Shootout
11.29.2015 | Men's Basketball
THE RUNDOWN
Score: Asheville 59, Loyola Chicago 48
Teams: Asheville (3-4, 0-0 BSC)
Loyola Chicago (4-3, 0-0 MVC)
Location: Great Alaska Shootout/Alaska Airlines Center/Anchorage, AK
ANCHORAGE, AK – A huge run by UNC Asheville in the second half led the Bulldogs to a third place finish in the 2015 GCI Great Alaska Shootout with an 11 point victory over Loyola Chicago on Saturday night.
THE TURNING POINT
Down six at the half, the Bulldogs used a 20-5 run over 10 minutes midway through the second half to take the lead for the first time since scoring the opening basket of the game. Asheville would not give up the lead once they jumped in front during the massive run.
NOTABLES
-Freshman Dylan Smith led the Bulldogs with a game-high 17 points as he was named the GCI Player of the Game. Smith added four rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block in the win.
-Dwayne Sutton collected 13 points to also finish in double-figures, as he added four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
-Asheville shot 44 percent (22-of-50) in the game and held Loyola to just 20 second half points as the Ramblers finished the game shooting 38 percent but just 26 percent in the second half.
-The Bulldogs outrebounded Loyola 32-27 and forced the Ramblers into 19 turnovers and used that to score 20 points. Asheville collected 32 of its points in the paint in the win.
QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH NICK McDEVITT
On the game – “I was really proud of our team's effort tonight. To beat a good team like Loyola you have to play hard, and I thought we did tonight. We were able to overcome some mistakes offensively and turning the ball over, but when you play really hard you can make up for that stuff sometimes.”
On the week in Alaska – “This was a once in a lifetime experience to come to Alaska and play in a prestigious tournament like the Great Alaska Shootout and to see some of the things we were able to see and experience what we did over the last week, and also go get two quality wins over Drexel and Loyola in the tournament. It was a good leisure and business trip for our team.”
UP NEXT
-Following Saturday's win, the Bulldogs make the trek back to Asheville overnight Saturday and on Sunday. The Bulldogs have a week to readjust to the time change and prepare for finals before next playing Johnson & Wales on Saturday, December 5. Next Saturday's game is part of a doubleheader with the Asheville women's team.
