University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Liberty
Bulldogs Look to Claim First Place in the Big South Conference on Saturday
02.16.2018 | Women's Basketball
2017-18 UNC Asheville Women's Basketball Media Guide
THE MATCHUP
Teams: UNC Asheville (13-11, 10-3 Big South)
Liberty (16-9, 11-2 Big South)
Location: Lynchburg, Va. (Vines Center)
Live Stream:Â ESPN3 and Big South Network
Live Stats:Â liberty.edu/flames
Twitter: @ashevilledogs #ThePursuit
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Looking to sit atop of the Big South Conference standings for the first time this season, the UNC Asheville women's basketball team travels to Liberty on Saturday, Feb. 17. Tipoff is set for 6 p.m. inside the Vines Center.Â
Last Time Out
Junior Ali Trani gave UNC Asheville women's basketball its second overtime victory of the season, as the guard netted a last-second putback and gave the Bulldogs the 71-69 overtime victory over Charleston Southern on Tuesday, Feb. 13, inside Kimmel Arena.Â
Senior guard Khaila Webb paced the Bulldogs as she netted 21 total points, including 12 in the second half. The Spartanburg, S.C. native converted on nine baskets as well as three assists and a steal.Â
Jessica Wall totaled 18 points, as she converted on a game-high four three-pointers. She finished the contest with two assists and two boards.Â
Despite fouling out in regulation, Bronaza Fitzgerald grabbed nine boards and totaled eight points. Tiffany Wilson finished the game going 3-for-4 from the field, as she matched her teammate with a game-high nine rebounds.Â
After her buzzer beater, Trani finished the contest with five points. She only made one basket, which was the game-winner.Â
As a team, UNC Asheville shot 46 percent from the field (28-for-61). The Bulldogs connected on 16 second-chance points and 38 points in the paint. They out-rebounded CSU by 15 (45-30), including 11 on the defensive glass.Â
Road Warriors
In the last six road games (USC Upstate, Campbell, Radford, Winthrop, Charleston Southern and Gardner-Webb), the Bulldogs are 6-0.Â
UNC Asheville is averaging 68.7 points per game (ppg), while holding opponents to 57.8 ppg (+10.8 scoring margin). The Bulldogs have made 19 more field goals on 10 more field goal attempts. They are also getting to the free-throw line more often (32 more times) and have made 26 more free-throws. The Bulldogs are also averaging 6.8 more rebounds than opponents (38.5 to 31.7). They have also committed five fewer total turnovers and forced 13 more total steals during that stretch.Â
Also during its six-game road winning streak, Asheville is out-scoring opponents 237-183 (54 points) in the second half. In the third quarter alone, the Bulldogs have out-scored opponents by 47 points (125-78).
Scouting the Flames
Liberty enters the weekend contest with a 16-9 overall record and an 11-2 mark in Big South games. In the Vines Center, Liberty is an impressive 9-0. Since its first Big South loss of the year (vs. UNC Asheville, 48-41), the Flames are 7-1 including posting seven straight wins.Â
Keyen Green is the lone Flame that is averaging double-digits in points this year (13.2). KK Barbour is right behind her teammate, as she averages 9.0 ppg. The duo also leads the team as Green grabs 6.3 rpg and Barbour corrals 5.8 rpg.Â
In Big South games only this year, Green continues to pace the Lady Flames, as she averages 15.7 ppg and 6.8 rpg.Â
All-Time History Versus Liberty
Saturday's contest will be the 66th all-time meeting between the two clubs, as Liberty leads the series 53-12.Â
With their seven-point win at home earlier this year, the Bulldogs currently sporting a five-game head-to-head winning streak over the Flames.Â
In the 48-41 victory in Asheville this season, Webb posted a career-high 23 points inside the friendly confines of Kimmel Arena. The senior guard went 9-for-16 from the field, while also tallying a single-game high with five steals. She also went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line and also tallied a pair of assists in 38 minutes of action.Â
The Bulldog defense was strong, as it held Liberty to only 33 percent shooting. The Flames only made two 3-pointers on 10 attempts in the game.
How To Follow The Game Live
The game at Liberty will be streamed on ESPN3 and the Big South Network. The ESPN3 link can be found by clicking HERE, and the BSN stream link can be found by clicking HERE. Live stats will also be available, and the link can be found by clicking HERE.
