University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Thursday, November 21
Asheville, NC
6 p.m.
UNC Asheville
3-2,0-0Big Sout
105
vs
69
St. Andrews
0-1
1
2
F
St. Andrews
31
38
69
UNC Asheville
52
53
105
Bulldogs Drain Record 19 Three-Pointers in Victory Over St. Andrews
11.21.2019 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE – The three-point shots started falling early for UNC Asheville's men's basketball team, and they didn't stop, as the Bulldogs drained a school-record 19 threes in a 105-69 victory against St. Andrews, Thursday night, in Kimmel Arena.
The Bulldogs (3-2) closed out their two-game home stand with a dominating victory, hitting 38 percent of their shots from distance on a school-record 50 attempts.
Sophomore DeVon Baker led the way with a career-best five made three-pointers, becoming the first Bulldog to hit five in a game this season. He led the way with 23 points in the game for his second 20-plus point effort this season and 11th of his career. He sizzled in the first half, scoring 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the first 20 minutes.
All five starters scored in double digits for the Bulldogs – the first time five Bulldogs scored in double-digits since the double-overtime loss to USC in the NIT in 2018. Tajion Jones added 16 points, scoring in double-figures in each of the past four games.
Not only did the starters give quality production, the Bulldogs' bench outscored the bench of St. Thomas (2-4, 2-2 AAC), 27-10. Freshman Jamon Battle led the bench in scoring for the second consecutive game, recording nine points on a perfect 4-of-4 effort from the field.
NOTABLY
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will get a bit of a reprieve for the Thanksgiving holiday, and return to the court for a 7 p.m., December 3, matchup at Charlotte.
FROM THE MIND OF MORRELL
"We obviously shot the ball really well tonight. We got a lot of opportunities as they were in the zone (defense) most of the game. I was really proud of our guys because I thought we had some good response. In the first half, we were up 16 or 17 and they cut it to seven, and then we were able to push it back to over 20, so I thought that was a good response. In the first five minutes of the second half, I thought (the Knights) were the aggressors, and then we were able to flip the script there. We made a few shots and were able to get some stops. I thought our guys prepared well the last two days, and thus they played well. And when you do that, you give yourself a much better chance to finish the game, which we didn't do as well last week against Brevard. I thought they prepared well the last two days to give themselves a much better chance to play well tonight." – Head Coach Mike Morrell
The Bulldogs (3-2) closed out their two-game home stand with a dominating victory, hitting 38 percent of their shots from distance on a school-record 50 attempts.
Sophomore DeVon Baker led the way with a career-best five made three-pointers, becoming the first Bulldog to hit five in a game this season. He led the way with 23 points in the game for his second 20-plus point effort this season and 11th of his career. He sizzled in the first half, scoring 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting in the first 20 minutes.
All five starters scored in double digits for the Bulldogs – the first time five Bulldogs scored in double-digits since the double-overtime loss to USC in the NIT in 2018. Tajion Jones added 16 points, scoring in double-figures in each of the past four games.
Not only did the starters give quality production, the Bulldogs' bench outscored the bench of St. Thomas (2-4, 2-2 AAC), 27-10. Freshman Jamon Battle led the bench in scoring for the second consecutive game, recording nine points on a perfect 4-of-4 effort from the field.
NOTABLY
- The Bulldogs hit a program-record 19 three-point shots (19-of-50; 38 percent), surpassing the previous single-game high of 16 set twice: against VMI (12/6/08) and Gardner-Webb (12/31/16)
- The Bulldogs' 50 three-point attempts also set a new high mark for the program, far exceeding the previous record of 37 set against VMI in 2008.
- DeVon Baker led the way with career-highs in three-pointers made (5) and attempted (12).
- Baker finished as the game's high scorer with 23 points – the 11th 20-plus point performance of his career and second of the season.
- All five starters scored in double figures for the Bulldogs (DeVon Baker, 23; Tajion Jones, 16; Coty Jude, 14; LJ Thorpe, 13; Lavar Batts, Jr., 12). It is the first time five Bulldogs have scored in double-digits since the team's 103-98 double-overtime loss to USC in the NIT, March 13, 2018 (Jonathan Baerhe, 28; MaCio Teague, 26; Raekwon Miller, 16; Ahmad Thomas, 13; Kevin Vannatta, 11).
- It is the first time the Bulldogs have eclipsed 100 points in a game since scoring 104 against Winthrop in a double-overtime victory, February 9, 2017.
- It is the first 100-plus point effort for the Dogs in a nonconference contest since putting up 117 against Warren Wilson, February 10, 2016.
- As they have in every game this season, the Bulldogs did not commit more turnovers than their opponent, forcing St. Andrews into 22 while only turning it over eight times.
- It is the first time the Bulldogs have had fewer than 10 turnovers in a game since having just six giveaways at USC Upstate, February 13, 2017.
- The Bulldogs dominated in points off turnovers (38-6) and fast-break points (26-12). They also outscored the Knights 27-6 on second-chance points.
- LJ Thorpe led the team and tied his career-high with eight rebounds, which he set earlier this season at The Citadel.
- Freshman Jamon Battle has been the leading scorer off the bench each of the past two games, combining for 22 points, including nine against St. Andrews.
- Freshman Trent Stephney (4) and sophomore Deacon Heath (2) each set career highs in assists.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs will get a bit of a reprieve for the Thanksgiving holiday, and return to the court for a 7 p.m., December 3, matchup at Charlotte.
FROM THE MIND OF MORRELL
"We obviously shot the ball really well tonight. We got a lot of opportunities as they were in the zone (defense) most of the game. I was really proud of our guys because I thought we had some good response. In the first half, we were up 16 or 17 and they cut it to seven, and then we were able to push it back to over 20, so I thought that was a good response. In the first five minutes of the second half, I thought (the Knights) were the aggressors, and then we were able to flip the script there. We made a few shots and were able to get some stops. I thought our guys prepared well the last two days, and thus they played well. And when you do that, you give yourself a much better chance to finish the game, which we didn't do as well last week against Brevard. I thought they prepared well the last two days to give themselves a much better chance to play well tonight." – Head Coach Mike Morrell
Team Stats
SA
AVL
FG%
.421
.470
3FG%
.368
.380
FT%
.778
.667
RB
39
44
TO
22
8
STL
3
16
Game Leaders
Pts
23
FGM
9
3FGM
5
FTM
0
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
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