Bulldogs Open Big South Play with Road Matchup Against Presbyterian

GAME NOTES | at PRESBYTERIAN

CLINTON, S.C. – After closing out its nonconference schedule with a 6-5 record, UNC Asheville's men's basketball team will open Big South Conference competition when it travels to Presbyterian for a 7 p.m., Thursday, contest at the Ross E. Templeton Center.

The Bulldogs return to action after an 11-day break since closing out the nonconference slate at home, December 21, falling 68-64 to Chattanooga. The Bulldogs rallied from a 14-point second-half deficit to tie the game twice down the stretch, but were unable to pull ahead of the Mocs.

The Blue Hose (3-10) wrapped up their nonconference schedule with an 81-56 victory against Kentucky Christian at home, December 22. They are 2-2 at home on the season, but 0-2 against Division I programs.

UNC Asheville holds a 22-12 edge in the all-time series, and had won six straight heading into last season. The two teams met three times a year ago, with Presbyterian winning each contest, including the opening round matchup of the Big South Tournament, which is the last time the teams faced off in Clinton.

Thursday's game will be live streamed on ESPN+ HERE, while Brian Hall and Mike Gore will have the radio call on News Radio 570 AM, which can also be found streaming HERE. Live stats will also be available HERE.

NOTABLY

The Bulldogs have not turned the ball over more than their opponent in any game so far this season and lead the country in turnover margin at plus-7.5 per game. They rank 16th in the country in fewest total turnovers.
The Bulldogs force their opponents into 19.7 turnovers per game, which ranks fifth in the country. They also average 9.8 steals per game, ranking 14th in the nation. DeVon Baker, Lavar Batts, Jr. and LJ Thorpe each average 1.9 steals per game, tied for third in the Big South and 85th nationally. Freshman Trent Stephney ranks eighth in the Big South, averaging 1.5 steals per game.
Four Bulldogs rank inside the Top 15 in scoring in the Big South Conference (DeVon Baker – 4th, 16.7; Tajion Jones – 5th, 16.2; Lavar Batts, Jr. – 12th, 13.1; LJ Thorpe – 15th, 11.6). No other team has more than two players in the Top 15.
The Bulldogs are averaging 81.4 points per game, ranking 23rd in the country and first in the Big South. They are averaging 21.5 points per game more than they did a season ago. Additionally, the Dogs rank 76th nationally and first in the Big South, hitting 46.5 percent of their shots from the field.
According to KenPom, the Bulldogs rank 15th in the country in turnover percentage defense, forcing opponents into turnovers on nearly a quarter of their possessions during a game, with 24.7 percent of opponents' possessions ending in a turnover.
After leading the Bulldogs with 21 points against UT Martin, redshirt sophomore Tajion Jones followed that up with 21 points on 8-of-10 shooting against Stetson. It was his fifth 20-plus-point scoring effort of the season and the second time this season he has gone back-to-back games with 20 or more points (The Citadel, Wake Forest). He is the only player on the roster to have multiple back-to-back 20-point efforts in his career.
Since being held scoreless in the season opener against Tennessee, Jones has not scored fewer than 12 points in any game and leads the Bulldogs with 10 double-digit scoring efforts on the year.
Despite returning 83.6 percent of its minutes from a season ago, UNC Asheville still possesses one of the 10 youngest rosters in the country, ranking as the 9th-youngest team, according to KenPom.
The Dogs rank second in the Big South and 83rd in the country in offensive rebounds, averaging 11.7 on the offensive glass per game. Tajion Jones is sixth in the Big South, averaging 2.0 offensive boards per game.

Bulldogs Open Big South Play with Road Matchup Against Presbyterian

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Players Mentioned

DeVon Baker

Lavar Batts, Jr.

Tajion Jones

Trent Stephney

LJ Thorpe

University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics