University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Winthrop
Late Comeback Ends Short, Bulldogs Fall at Winthrop
02.20.2016 | Men's Basketball
THE RUNDOWN
Score: Winthrop 81 – Asheville 80
Teams: Asheville (18-10, 11-5 BSC)
Winthrop (20-7, 12-4 BSC)
Location: Winthrop Coliseum / Rock Hill, S.C.
ROCK HILL, S.C. – A frantic final few seconds saw UNC Asheville come up just short at Winthrop Saturday afternoon, with Winthrop taking a one-game lead in Big South Conference play with its 81-80 victory.
Kevin Vannatta's three-pointer with four seconds remaining brought UNC Asheville within one point before the ensuing Winthrop inbounds pass was intercepted by Dwayne Sutton near midcourt. The Bulldog freshman lost his footing as an Eagle defender pulled the ball away as the final seconds ticked off.
The Bulldogs fall to 11-5 in the Big South, one game back of Winthrop, who moves to 12-4 with two games remaining for each team in the regular season.
THE TURNING POINT
Winthrop hit 10 three-point baskets – including seven in the first half – compared to Asheville's five total three-pointers. The Bulldogs did not hit a long range shot in the opening 20 minutes and didn't hit their first three-pointer until there was 9:57 remaining.
NOTABLES
-Four Bulldogs finished with double-figures in the loss, led by Vannatta's team-high 21 points. Sam Hughes and Dylan Smith each tallied 13 points, while Ahmad Thomas had the game's only double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
-Winthrop led by as many as 13 points with 10:15 remaining before Asheville began to climb back into the game over the next four minutes via a 12-3 run. Each Bulldog run seemed to have a Winthrop answer, with the hosts pushing the game back to a nine point advantage at the 4:19 mark before Asheville made it's run down the stretch.
-Asheville was steady from the floor all afternoon, finishing the afternoon shooting 45.5 percent (30-of-66), while Winthrop finished at 49.1 percent (26-53) after a 57 percent shooting first half.
-Asheville jumped out of the gates and scored the game's first six points over the opening three minutes, but saw Winthrop respond and the teams trade baskets the remainder of the first half. The last Bulldog lead came with 6:11 remaining in the first half.
-The game featured nine lead changes and three ties – all in the first half as Winthrop led the final 23:57.
-The Bulldogs have now lost five conference games by a total of 13 points, including two games in the last 10 days by one point each (Radford on Feb. 11 and today).
QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH NICK McDEVITT
On the game – “I thought today was two good teams who played hard and played pretty well. I'm proud of our effort – tough environment, on Senior Day, facing a good team. Certainly disappointed in the outcome but a heck of an effort by both teams and the ball just didn't bounce our way. Credit to Winthrop, and Keon Johnson hit a huge shot. He wanted the ball with the game on the line.”
On the ending – “Dwayne had a great steal and tripped a little bit and the ball got loose. You never know what happens if he keeps his footing and has a chance. We put ourselves in a position to win it, and unfortunately just couldn't leave here with a win.”
UP NEXT
-Following today's loss, Asheville returns home to wrap up the regular season with a pair of home games. Liberty comes to town on Thursday night before the Bulldogs close the regular season next Saturday against Coastal Carolina on Homecoming in Asheville.
