University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
High Point
Asheville opens up Big South play with High Point on Friday
12.10.2020 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team will open up Big South play at home on Friday, welcoming High Point to Kimmel Arena for a 5 p.m. tip. On Saturday, the two sides will cap off their first conference back-to-back series of the season, with the action starting at 3 p.m.
Both the Panthers and Bulldogs will be eager to return to the court on Friday, each having played their respective previous games last Saturday (12/5). Asheville was scheduled to face ETSU Tuesday night at the Harrah's Cherokee Center, but the game was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns within the ETSU men's basketball program.
It Takes All of Us
The Bulldogs (1-2) got into the win column for the first time on Saturday, defeating South Carolina State 77-56. Asheville shot 51.8 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from 3-point range, with 10 different players scoring in the win. While the Bulldogs have not seen DeVon Baker yet (31 starts last season), fellow junior Coty Jude saw his first action against South Carolina State, knocking down his first three of the season. Four of the five starters are averaging double figures right now for the Bulldogs, while Asheville's bench has outscored opposing reserves 59-39 on the season.
Scouting High Point
Like Asheville, High Point is also 1-2 on the young season, topping North Florida 85-74 last Saturday at home. Sophomore guard John-Michael Wright has been dominant so far this season, averaging 24.0 points per game for the Panthers. High Point has gotten contributions throughout their lineup, with four other players averaging 8.7-plus points per game. The Panthers have gotten edged out on the boards (32.0-30.0), but are winning the turnover battle by a margin of +2.4.
Series HistoryÂ
Asheville has the overall edge in the series (32-25), splitting the season series in 2019-20. While the team was narrowly beaten in the first matchup of 2019-20 (68-66), Tajion Jones and LJ Thorpe combined for 42 points in the Bulldogs' four-point win when the two sides met in February.
Three for Three
After struggling from downtown in the opener, redshirt junior Tajion Jones has been locked in the past two games, scoring 24 points against both Western Carolina and South Carolina State. The 6-foot-5 guard went 11-for-20 from 3-point range in his past two outings and currently ranks in the top 30 in the NCAA in 3-point field goals per game (3.67). Jones' efficiency showcased itself in last season's win over the Panthers, totaling 23 points on 8-for-11 shooting, going 5-for-7 from 3-point range.
Bulldogs on the BlockÂ
Graduate transfer Evan Clayborne has made an immediate impact since arriving in Asheville, averaging 11.3 points and swatting six shots through three games. Against South Carolina State, Clayborne, who spent last season at N.C. Central, exploded for a career-high 15 points on 7-of-8 shooting, blocking three shots in the process. After swatting just 73 shots in 31 games last season, Asheville has totaled 20 through three games. The Bulldogs are also hauling in 39.0 rebounds per game so far, up from 30.6 last year.
How to Follow
Both Friday and Saturday will be streamed on ESPN+, with Brian Hall and Mike Gore making the call on radio for 570 WNNC.
