University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Longwood
Dogs Overcome Double-Digit Deficit, Defeat Longwood 71-56
02.06.2015 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Giacomo Zilli scored all 16 of his points in the second half to rally UNC Asheville past Longwood, 71-56 in Big South Conference action Friday night at Kimmel Arena.
The sophomore center collected his first double-double of his career by grabbing 14 rebounds, 12 in the second half. He helped the Bulldogs (12-11, 8-4 BSC) rally from a 33-23 halftime deficit.
Sophomore guard Andrew Rowsey led all scorers with 22 points. He was a perfect 8-of-8 from the free throw line. David Robertson added 11 points and five assists.
The Lancers (8-15, 2-8 BSC) were led by Quincy Taylor and Shaquille Johnson with 19 points each.
Asheville used a big advantage on the board for the win as it out-rebounded Longwood, 51-25. Will Weeks grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds in the win. The Dogs out-rebounded the Lancers, 35-11 in the second half.
Trailing 33-23 at halftime, Zilli took charge right away for the Bulldogs. He scored seven straight points to cut the lead to 35-30. His pass to Robertson led to a three-pointer to close the Longwood lead to 35-33.
Weeks' three-point play put Asheville in front for the first time at 36-35. The Lancers led 41-40 when the home team went on a 16-3 run over the next five minutes to seize control of the contest. Rowsey and Robertson hit back-to-back treys to make it 54-44. Zilli finished the run with a tip-in off a missed Bulldog shot to push the margin to 56-44 at 6:59 mark.
The Bulldogs would not let the visitors get closer than 14 as Asheville won its fourth consecutive home game.
Longwood controlled the first half as it forced 13 first-half turnovers and the Lancers led 33-23 at halftime. Johnson had 12 points in the opening half. Rowsey kept the Bulldogs close with 11 points. The visitors hurt themselves at the free throw line by going 4-of-11 in the opening half preventing them from having a bigger lead.
UNC Asheville is back in action this Monday night when the Bulldogs travel to Gardner-Webb for a battle with the Runnin' Bulldogs starting at 8 p.m.
