University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
1-2,0-0Big South
South Carolina State
0-4,0-0MEAC
Asheville tops South Carolina State 77-56
12.05.2020 | Men's Basketball
Clayborne scores career-high 15 points
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Evan Clayborne scored a career-high 15 points as the UNC Asheville Men's Basketball team captured its first win of the 2020-21 season on Saturday, defeating South Carolina State 77-56 at Kimmel Arena.
While the game was back and forth early, Asheville took the lead at the 12-minute mark of the first half and never looked back, ultimately taking the contest by 21. Ten different Bulldogs scored in the effort, which saw the return of forward Coty Jude (3 points). As a team, Asheville shot 51.8 percent from the floor and 40.9 percent from 3-point range, outscoring South Carolina State in the paint 38-30. Asheville moves to 1-2 on the young season, while South Carolina State falls to 0-4.
"Was proud of our guys' effort and execution today," said UNC Asheville head coach Mike Morrell. "We're just thankful to get another opportunity to play, and obviously getting the result that you work hard for feels good. I know our players were excited."
The high scorer for Asheville was junior Tajion Jones, who poured in 24 points, going 6-for-10 from 3-point range. Trent Stephney and Lavar Batts, Jr. dished out six and five assists, respectively, each picking up three steals, while Jamon Battle added nine points and grabbed six boards. Clayborne, whose previous career-high was 14 points, added three blocks in the game to move his season total to six.
"He's such a great kid," Morrell said of Clayborne. "He really wants to please everybody. I think he's just been such a great addition to our team. Obviously from a basketball standpoint, but his personality – he's just an awesome dude. Our guys love him and he's added a maturity and a size that we've not had since I've been here."
The two teams traded buckets early, pulling to within a point after Battle converted a three-point play to make the score 13-12. Silas Mason would score a tough bucket in the lane and hit a free throw, giving Asheville a lead (17-16) which they would not relinquish.
Jones continued to connect from outside and Clayborne got into the mix as time winded down in the first, scoring a trio of buckets including a dunk to make the score 38-26 with 3:27 to play. Clayborne added another basket after snagging an offensive rebound, and Batts knocked down a trey of his own as Asheville took a 43-27 advantage into half.
"He's extremely athletic and a great finisher," Morrell said of Clayborne. "He really fits our style of play and I know he really wanted to play well today."
Clayborne picked up where he left off in the second, slamming home a feed from Battle as Asheville remained in control of the contest. After extending the lead to 18, South Carolina tried to climb back in, cutting the deficit to 12 (49-37) with 12:53 remaining. Jones halted any momentum South Carolina State had, hitting a pair of 3-pointers out of the timeout to push the lead back to 16.
"He's a different player when he's really confident," said Morrell of Jones. "Our guys really pull for him. I don't think he shoots enough. He had a good day, and I know he's happy for that."
It continued to be the Clayborne show down the stretch, converting a three-point play with just over six minutes to play, setting a new career-high in points scored in the process. Jones would continue the effort to close out South Carolina State, adding two more 3-pointers to propel Asheville to its first win of the season.
What's Next
Asheville will host ETSU (1-2) on Tuesday for a 7 p.m. tip at the Harrah's Cherokee Center. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ and can be heard on 570 WNNC.
Today's Takeaways
- Evan Clayborne scores career-high 15 points, tying career-high 7 field goals made (both vs. Mid-Atlantic Christian while at N.C. Central)
- 10 different Bulldogs scored, as the team shot 51.8 percent from the floor, 40.9 percent from three
- Coty Jude – who started all 31 games last season – returned from injury in the game, knocking down a 3-pointer
- Asheville held South Carolina State to 15.0 percent shooting from 3-point range (3-for-20)
