Women’s Basketball Hosts High Point in Conference Home Opener on Saturday

Game Notes

2017-18 UNC Asheville Women's Basketball Media Guide

THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (4-8, 1-0 Big South)
High Point (7-5, 1-0 Big South)
Location: Asheville, N.C. (Kimmel Arena)
Live Stream: Big South Network
Radio: Can be heard on local radio (100.3 FM) or online HERE – Mike Gore (PBP)
Live Stats: uncabulldogs.com
Twitter: @ashevilledogs #ThePursuit

ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Following an exciting come-from-behind road win to open Big South Conference play, the UNC Asheville women's basketball team hosts its conference home opener on Jan. 6 versus High Point. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. inside Kimmel Arena.

BULLDOG BITES

Promotions

For Saturday's conference home opener, there are two great promotions on hand: a replica championship banner giveaway and Daddy-Daughter Day. The first 300 fans at the gate will receive a 2017 Women's Basketball Big South Championship replica banner. Also with the purchase of an adult ticket, you will receive one free child's ticket. There will be themed games throughout the game for all dads and daughters to participate.

About UNC Asheville

The Bulldogs opened Big South Conference play with a 60-52 road victory over Campbell. The road victory for the Bulldogs was just their second this year as they defeated USC Upstate in the middle of December, 76-70.

Bronaza Fitzgerald paced the Bulldog offense and defense as the senior center tallied her third double-double of the season and the eighth of her career. She totaled 16 points and grabbed 12 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs in both categories. She corralled nine offensive boards and blocked two shots, which was a game high in both categories. Jessica Wall tallied three steals and made four baskets en route to nine total points and a pair of assists. Brooke Jordan-Brown played a season-high 20 minutes as she was efficient from the free-throw line (3-for-4) while totaling two rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Amaryah Corpening matched a single-game career high with seven points as she scored all her points in the first half.

The Bulldogs only mustered 19 points in the first half against the Camels, but right out of halftime, UNC Asheville tallied 20 points in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth quarter to out-score Campbell 41-21 in the final 20 minutes of play. The 31-19 halftime deficit was the largest come-from-behind victory this year for the Bulldogs.

In the last four games, the Bulldogs are 3-1 including two victories on the road. During that four-game stretch, the highlight is the strong second-half performance for the Bulldogs.

UNC Asheville has out-scored opponents 147-125 in the second half including posting a +5.5 scoring margin. The Bulldogs have also made nine more total field goals and are shooting .470 percent from the field. The Bulldogs are also knocking down chances from the free-throw line as they are shooting .795 percent (31-for-39) from the stripe. They are also +3.0 in the turnover margin including sporting an impressive 1.2 assist to turnover margin in the second half in the last four contests.

At the Big South Conference Media Day, the Bulldogs were selected to finish fifth, despite receiving the second-highest amount of first-place votes in the league. Radford earned seven of the total first-place votes as the Highlanders were selected the win the league.

Scouting High Point

High Point is fresh off a conference-opening thriller as it stunned the red-hot Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs 83-80 in overtime in High Point, N.C. Behind its 1-0 Big South record, High Point sports a 7-5 overall record and 4-2 mark at the Millis Center. The Panthers have several impressive wins this year including three road victories over Stetson, Norfolk State and UNCG. They have defeated North Carolina Wesleyan, Barton, Western Carolina and GWU at home this season.

The 2017 Big South Preseason Player of the Year - Emma Bockrath - is the team's third-leading scorer behind Kat Harris and Camryn Brown. Bockrath has started all 12 games and averages 31.6 minutes per contest. She is shooting .327 percent (51-for-156) from the field and is second on the team with 84 total rebounds. She paces the Panthers in steals with 23 while she averages 2.5 assists per contest.

Sophomore guard Brown is the reigning Big South Player of the Week as she racked up two single-game career high versus UNCG - points (28) and rebounds (7). She is currently second on the team in points per game (13.1) and has one of the best shooting percentages in the conference - .472 (51-for-108). Harris is the team's leading scorer despite not starting a game this year (appeared in all 12 games). She averages 24.2 minutes off the bench to go along with her 14.5 points per game, 2.8 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game and 0.92 steals per game.

Prior to the beginning of season, High Pont was predicted to finish fourth – one spot ahead of Asheville – in the Big South Preseason Poll.

How To Follow The Game Live

The game versus High Point will be streamed on the Big South Network. The BSN stream link can be found by clicking HERE. The game can also be heard locally on the radio on REWIND 100.3 or online by clicking HERE. Live stats will also be available, and the link can be found by clicking HERE.

Women’s Basketball Hosts High Point in Conference Home Opener on Saturday

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Players Mentioned

Amaryah Corpening

Bronaza Fitzgerald

Brooke Jordan-Brown

Jessica Wall

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics