University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Thursday, February 23
Boiling Springs, NC
9:00 p.m.
UNC Asheville
22-8, 14-3
76
at
81
Gardner-Webb
17-13, 10-7
1
2
F
UNC Asheville
39
37
76
Gardner-Webb
33
48
81
Photo by: UNC Asheville
Bulldogs Have Long Winning Streak Snapped at Gardner-Webb
02.24.2017 | Men's Basketball
BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – UNC Asheville men's basketball had its long winning streak snapped in an 81-76 road loss to Gardner-Webb on Thursday, Feb. 23, at Paul Porter Arena.
With the loss, UNC Asheville (22-8, 14-3 Big South Conference) dropped into a three-way tie with Winthrop (22-6, 14-3 Big South Conference) and Liberty (19-11, 14-3 Big South Conference) for first place in the Big South Conference with one regular-season game remaining.
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored the first five points of the game, but a 6-0 run after that by UNC Asheville gave the Bulldogs a 6-5 lead with 16:21 remaining in the opening half of action. The Bulldogs after a beautiful pass down low from junior guard Kevin Vannatta to senior forward Will Weeks that resulted in an easy layup would own a 14-9 lead with 13:53 to go in half No. 1.
UNC Asheville would lead by as many as six with around eight minutes to go in the first half, but with 4:16 to play in the first stanza the Bulldogs held just a one-point lead over the Runnin' Bulldogs at 28-27.
The Bulldogs would control things the rest of the first half with Asheville entering the halftime break leading Gardner-Webb, 39-33.
Gardner-Webb (17-13, 10-7 Big South Conference) started the second half on a 9-2 run to own a 42-41 lead with 16:47 remaining in the contest. The Runnin' Bulldogs would lead by 10 at 62-52 with 9:35 left in the game.
Asheville would threaten Gardner-Webb down the stretch in the contest, trailing by just three with 14 seconds to play, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would do enough to claim the five-point upset win.
Junior guard Ahmad Thomas led Asheville in the contest with 25 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist. Thomas was 12-of-16 from the field in the game.
Four Bulldogs finished in double figures in total with Vannatta scoring 15 points to go along with four assists, four rebounds and one steal. Weeks closed his night with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block.
Freshman guard MaCio Teague had 11 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Gardner-Webb had four players in double figures in its win with senior Tyrell Nelson collecting a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
As a team, Asheville shot 46.8 percent (29-of-62). Gardner-Webb finished 46.7 percent (28-of-60) from the floor as a team.
BULLDOG BITES
IMPRESSIVE FREE THROW STREAK COMES TO A CLOSE: MaCio Teague connected on his first three free throws in the Gardner-Webb game to extend his made free throw streak to 29. When he missed his fourth attempt on the night it snapped the impressive streak. Teague was 3-of-4 overall from the free throw line in the loss to Gardner-Webb.
NEARING 500 BOARDS: With his five rebounds in the game, UNC Asheville junior guard Ahmad Thomas is now just three rebounds away from joining teammate Will Weeks in the prestigious 500-rebound club. Weeks became the 83rd player in Big South Conference history with over 500 rebounds in Asheville's road win at Longwood on Feb. 11. Weeks now has 525 rebounds in his Bulldog career. Thomas with his three steals in the Gardner-Webb game now also has 182 steals in his Bulldog career. Already having scored over 1,000 points, Thomas is nearing becoming just the sixth player in league history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals.
QUOTABLES
"We didn't play good enough tonight to beat a good team on the road. That's the reason we lost the game. We have to be a tough and resilient bunch and bounce back and play another good opponent on Saturday afternoon. It's a team we're tied for first with and it's our last regular-season game, so we can't feel sorry for ourselves and dwell on tonight. We have to be good and bounce back." – Head Coach Nick McDevitt
UP NEXT
UNC Asheville men's basketball is hoping to pack Kimmel Arena for their huge Big South Conference showdown with Liberty at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.
The regular-season finale for the Bulldogs will serve as Senior Day with seniors David Robertson, Will Weeks and Giacomo Zilli to be honored before the start of the contest. In addition, UNC Asheville will also honor junior guard Ahmad Thomas for becoming the 31st Bulldog to score 1,000 points or more before the start of the contest.
The special game that will be nationally-televised on the American Sports Network will be sponsored by Mission Health, who will be providing rally towels to the first 500 fans.
As always, UNC Asheville fans are encouraged to wear Blue to support the Bulldogs against Liberty.
Doors will open for the nationally-televised game at Kimmel Arena at 12:30 p.m.
To make the day fun for the whole family, Ingles will also be sponsoring a special four-pack of tickets for just $20.
In addition, there will be two big giveaways over the course of the day at Kimmel Arena.
The first one will be sponsored by SuperFanU, but to win you must download the Bulldog Rewards App.
Two lucky fans who have the App at halftime will get the chance to build a paper airplane and throw it from the baseline to the court. If the airplane lands touching the white triangle in the middle of the logo on the Kimmel Arena court they will each win $250. Each individual will get one throw.
Thanks to Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, one lucky fan will also win a very unique package to attend the 2017 Food City 500 Race April 23, 2017, in Bristol, Tenn.
The Food City 500 package includes two grandstand seat tickets, two cold pit/garage passes and one VIP parking space for the day of the race. Winner must be at least 16 years old.
The new Zaxby's "Fowl Shot" promotion that kicks in after the under-12 minute media timeout during Bulldog basketball games will also be part of the men's basketball regular-season finale.
For the final 12 minutes of the game if a visiting player misses both free throws during a trip to the free throw line a voucher after the game will be handed out to all fans in attendance where they will receive a free Chicken Nibbler courtesy of Zaxby's.
The vouchers from Zaxby's must be redeemed within 48 hours at any Zaxby's location.
As part of their special promotion during February, the Campus Bookstore and Rocky's Doghouse will continue their promotion in the men's basketball regular-season finale.
During the month of February if the Bulldogs win by 10 or more points, fans and students can show their ticket stub within two (2) business days following the game at the Campus Bookstore or Rocky's Doghouse in Kimmel Arena to receive 10% off any full priced clothing or gift item. This offer is valid in store only. Students can show their one card and mention the promotion to receive the discount.
If the Bulldogs score 80 or more points in the game, Krispy Kreme will per usual also be giving away free doughnut vouchers.
With the loss, UNC Asheville (22-8, 14-3 Big South Conference) dropped into a three-way tie with Winthrop (22-6, 14-3 Big South Conference) and Liberty (19-11, 14-3 Big South Conference) for first place in the Big South Conference with one regular-season game remaining.
The Runnin' Bulldogs scored the first five points of the game, but a 6-0 run after that by UNC Asheville gave the Bulldogs a 6-5 lead with 16:21 remaining in the opening half of action. The Bulldogs after a beautiful pass down low from junior guard Kevin Vannatta to senior forward Will Weeks that resulted in an easy layup would own a 14-9 lead with 13:53 to go in half No. 1.
UNC Asheville would lead by as many as six with around eight minutes to go in the first half, but with 4:16 to play in the first stanza the Bulldogs held just a one-point lead over the Runnin' Bulldogs at 28-27.
The Bulldogs would control things the rest of the first half with Asheville entering the halftime break leading Gardner-Webb, 39-33.
Gardner-Webb (17-13, 10-7 Big South Conference) started the second half on a 9-2 run to own a 42-41 lead with 16:47 remaining in the contest. The Runnin' Bulldogs would lead by 10 at 62-52 with 9:35 left in the game.
Asheville would threaten Gardner-Webb down the stretch in the contest, trailing by just three with 14 seconds to play, but the Runnin' Bulldogs would do enough to claim the five-point upset win.
Junior guard Ahmad Thomas led Asheville in the contest with 25 points, five rebounds, three steals and one assist. Thomas was 12-of-16 from the field in the game.
Four Bulldogs finished in double figures in total with Vannatta scoring 15 points to go along with four assists, four rebounds and one steal. Weeks closed his night with 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one block.
Freshman guard MaCio Teague had 11 points, five rebounds, three steals and two assists.
Gardner-Webb had four players in double figures in its win with senior Tyrell Nelson collecting a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds.
As a team, Asheville shot 46.8 percent (29-of-62). Gardner-Webb finished 46.7 percent (28-of-60) from the floor as a team.
BULLDOG BITES
IMPRESSIVE FREE THROW STREAK COMES TO A CLOSE: MaCio Teague connected on his first three free throws in the Gardner-Webb game to extend his made free throw streak to 29. When he missed his fourth attempt on the night it snapped the impressive streak. Teague was 3-of-4 overall from the free throw line in the loss to Gardner-Webb.
NEARING 500 BOARDS: With his five rebounds in the game, UNC Asheville junior guard Ahmad Thomas is now just three rebounds away from joining teammate Will Weeks in the prestigious 500-rebound club. Weeks became the 83rd player in Big South Conference history with over 500 rebounds in Asheville's road win at Longwood on Feb. 11. Weeks now has 525 rebounds in his Bulldog career. Thomas with his three steals in the Gardner-Webb game now also has 182 steals in his Bulldog career. Already having scored over 1,000 points, Thomas is nearing becoming just the sixth player in league history with 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 200 steals.
QUOTABLES
"We didn't play good enough tonight to beat a good team on the road. That's the reason we lost the game. We have to be a tough and resilient bunch and bounce back and play another good opponent on Saturday afternoon. It's a team we're tied for first with and it's our last regular-season game, so we can't feel sorry for ourselves and dwell on tonight. We have to be good and bounce back." – Head Coach Nick McDevitt
UP NEXT
UNC Asheville men's basketball is hoping to pack Kimmel Arena for their huge Big South Conference showdown with Liberty at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017.
The regular-season finale for the Bulldogs will serve as Senior Day with seniors David Robertson, Will Weeks and Giacomo Zilli to be honored before the start of the contest. In addition, UNC Asheville will also honor junior guard Ahmad Thomas for becoming the 31st Bulldog to score 1,000 points or more before the start of the contest.
The special game that will be nationally-televised on the American Sports Network will be sponsored by Mission Health, who will be providing rally towels to the first 500 fans.
As always, UNC Asheville fans are encouraged to wear Blue to support the Bulldogs against Liberty.
Doors will open for the nationally-televised game at Kimmel Arena at 12:30 p.m.
To make the day fun for the whole family, Ingles will also be sponsoring a special four-pack of tickets for just $20.
In addition, there will be two big giveaways over the course of the day at Kimmel Arena.
The first one will be sponsored by SuperFanU, but to win you must download the Bulldog Rewards App.
Two lucky fans who have the App at halftime will get the chance to build a paper airplane and throw it from the baseline to the court. If the airplane lands touching the white triangle in the middle of the logo on the Kimmel Arena court they will each win $250. Each individual will get one throw.
Thanks to Bristol Motor Speedway and Dragway, one lucky fan will also win a very unique package to attend the 2017 Food City 500 Race April 23, 2017, in Bristol, Tenn.
The Food City 500 package includes two grandstand seat tickets, two cold pit/garage passes and one VIP parking space for the day of the race. Winner must be at least 16 years old.
The new Zaxby's "Fowl Shot" promotion that kicks in after the under-12 minute media timeout during Bulldog basketball games will also be part of the men's basketball regular-season finale.
For the final 12 minutes of the game if a visiting player misses both free throws during a trip to the free throw line a voucher after the game will be handed out to all fans in attendance where they will receive a free Chicken Nibbler courtesy of Zaxby's.
The vouchers from Zaxby's must be redeemed within 48 hours at any Zaxby's location.
As part of their special promotion during February, the Campus Bookstore and Rocky's Doghouse will continue their promotion in the men's basketball regular-season finale.
During the month of February if the Bulldogs win by 10 or more points, fans and students can show their ticket stub within two (2) business days following the game at the Campus Bookstore or Rocky's Doghouse in Kimmel Arena to receive 10% off any full priced clothing or gift item. This offer is valid in store only. Students can show their one card and mention the promotion to receive the discount.
If the Bulldogs score 80 or more points in the game, Krispy Kreme will per usual also be giving away free doughnut vouchers.
Team Stats
AVL
GWU
FG%
.468
.467
3FG%
.188
.389
FT%
.517
.600
RB
32
47
TO
11
20
STL
13
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
25
FGM
12
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
15
FGM
6
3FGM
1
FTM
2
Pts
13
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
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