University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Radford
Men’s basketball hosts Radford for Big South clash Sunday-Monday
01.23.2021 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – After splitting a pair at Gardner-Webb, the UNC Asheville men's basketball team returns home for two games on Sunday and Monday against Radford. Sunday's game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. tip, with Monday scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
Asheville enters the pivotal Big South series (with Radford ranking second and Asheville third in the conference) 8-7 on the season, with a strong 7-3 record in conference play.
Stopping the Streak
Asheville's 79-75 victory at Gardner-Webb on Tuesday snapped a five-game losing streak in the series. The win was the first since January 24, 2018, and the first in Boiling Springs since February 9, 2015. LJ Thorpe led the way with 21 points, scoring 14 in the second half. Graduate transfer Evan Clayborne was dominant inside, snagging a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The 1,000-Point Club
Redshirt junior Tajion Jones became the 35th player in UNC Asheville men's basketball history to score 1,000 points with five against Gardner-Webb on Wednesday. Jones joins teammate DeVon Baker who eclipsed the 1,000-point mark last season in the Big South Quarterfinal loss to Gardner-Webb. Jones has been the most consistent scorer this season for the Bulldogs, leading the team with 17.3 points per game and ranking fourth in the nation in made 3-pointers with 54. Last year, Baker became just the third sophomore in program history and sixth in Big South history to reach 1,000 points. Baker has appeared in just four games this season, but dropped a season-high 20 points against Gardner-Webb on Wednesday, scoring 15 in the second half.
Scouting Radford
The Highlanders are 10-6 overall, but have lost just one Big South contest, a down-to-the wire 65-63 game at Presbyterian. Radford has been dominant on the boards, with its 619 on the season ranking in the top 10 in Division I. Another strength of the Highlanders is getting to the free throw line, leading the conference in made free throws (319). Fah'Mir Ali has been the story of the season for the Highlanders, leading the team in points (10.7), assists (56) and steals (22) as a freshman. Chyree Walker has led the way on the boards, with a Big South best 7.8 rebounds per contest. An area the Bulldogs could look to capitalize on is the turnover margin, with Radford holding a -3.0 number in that category.
Series History
Radford has the slight edge in the almost dead-even series, winning 38 games to Asheville's 37. The two sides have matched each other in the last six matchups, each winning three games apiece, with the Highlanders claiming the last matchup at Radford 79-64.
How to Follow
Pete Yanity and Dean Keener have Sunday's broadcast on the local CW 62 network, and it can also be streamed here. Matt Stradley and John Williams will be on the ESPN+ call on Monday, while Brian Hall and Mike Gore will broadcast both games on 570 WNNC.
GAME NOTES
