%20(1).png&width=16&type=webp)
University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
High Point
Bulldogs Capture First Ever Regular Season Crown with Saturday Win
03.05.2016 | Women's Basketball
THE RUNDOWN
Score: Asheville 85- High Point 64
Teams: Asheville (23-6, 16-4 BSC)
High Point University (11-18, 10-10 BSC)
Location: Justice Center/Asheville, N.C.
Time: 2:00 p.m.
ASHEVILLE- The UNC Asheville Women's Basketball team defeated High Point University (85-64) in the Justice Center to capture the Big South Conference regular season crown for the first time in program history.
The Bulldogs were tied with Liberty University for first place going into the final day of play for the Big South Conference. The Flames suffered a (57-49) loss to Presbyterian College today to give Asheville the outright first place finish and number one seed entering the Conference tournament in Asheville next week.
THE TURNING POINT
Going into the fourth quarter, Asheville held a 59-56 advantage over High Point. Opening the quarter with three made free throws, the Bulldogs went on a 17-4 run to increase the gap between the two teams. Asheville scored 26 fourth quarter points to High Point's 8 to close out the game for a 21-point victory.
NOTABLES
-This is the first time in program history that the Bulldogs have captured the regular season Big South Conference Title. The highest finish in the regular season by any Asheville team was second place by the 2003-04 campaign.
- Asheville went 30-of-62 from the floor for 48 percent shooting on the afternoon to High Point's 25-of-59 for 42 percent. The Bulldogs were led by Chatori Major with 17 points, going 6-of-15 (40 percent) from the field. She was joined in double figures by Paige Love (15 points), Khaila Webb (14 points) and Tianna Knuckles (12 points).
-The Bulldogs went 7-for-20 from three-point range as a team. Senior, Paige Love was a perfect three-for-three from beyond the arc to add nine to her season-high 15 points on the afternoon.
-Asheville out-rebounded High Point, 39-31. The Bulldogs collected 22 defensive rebounds, and 17 offensive rebounds that they turned into 13 second chance points. The Panthers picked up 18 defensive rebounds and 13 offensive for 10 second chance points.
-The Bulldogs offense outscored the Panthers in the paint, amassing 38 points inside to High Point's 22.
-Asheville was able to capitalize on 22 panther fouls. The Bulldogs knocked down 18-of-20 free throws for a season-best 90 percent efficiency from the line. Asheville shot 18 of their 20 foul shots in the second half.
QUOTABLES FROM HEAD COACH BRENDA MOCK KIRKPATRICK
On the Match-up- “I was proud of our girls' effort against High Point who is a tough team to defend and who showed their offensive prowess many times throughout the game. I thought the turning point for us was in the battle for 50/50 balls in the second half. We fought hard for some crucial offensive rebounds that gave us needed extra possessions. We were able to contain them enough on the defensive end in the fourth quarter to slip away with the victory."
On the Regular Season Championship- “Winning the regular season title means a tremendous amount to this program, the entire athletic department and our university. It is a difficult task because we play every team in the league home and away. Our goal in the spring of 2012 when taking over the program was to make it competitive in the Big South as quickly as possible. That has required the efforts of more than just this years' team and staff. There are many other players and coaches in the three seasons prior that impacted the success that we had this season and I am thankful for each one of them. This year's team is without a doubt a special group because they are the most unselfish group of young ladies that I have ever been privileged to coach. The have never cared about a stat line or who gets the credit more than they cared about being there for each other and owning the process.”
On the Championship- “We know that in order to continue this journey that we need to focus on playing for each other and playing with unmatched heart and effort. This league is well coached and super talented. We are aware of the parity in the league and that the tournament title and the right to go to the NCAA tournament will be up for grabs. So we will enjoy this for the moment, and get ready for what's next on the agenda, and that's Friday's quarterfinal match-up.”
UP NEXT
-Following today's game, The Big South Conference Championship is coming to Kimmel Arena in Asheville to be played on March 10-13. The Bulldogs will be back in action on Friday night, March 11 in the Quarterfinals.
