University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, December 18
Asheville, N.C.
2:00 p.m.
UNC Asheville
79
vs
64
East Tennessee State
Pember powers UNC Asheville past ETSU
12.18.2021 | Men's Basketball
Men’s basketball downs Bucs 79-64
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Drew Pember scored a career-high 27 points and grabbed seven rebounds as the UNC Asheville men's basketball defeated East Tennessee State University 79-64 at Kimmel Arena on Saturday afternoon.
"I grew up watching East Tennessee State basketball and that's really where I fell in love with the game," said UNC Asheville Head Coach and Elizabethton native Mike Morrell of the win. "It was a good win, but it was a good win because they are a good program not because I'm from there. Nobody has more respect for them than me. Just a really good Southern Conference opponent. Really proud of our players and the growth of our program."
In addition to Pember's big day, Tajion Jones and Coty Jude registered some significant career milestones, as Jones moved into second place all-time for made 3-pointers at UNC Asheville (209) and Jude became the fifth member of 200-plus 3-point club at UNC Asheville, knocking down four treys to give him 200 in his four seasons of play.
Standout Stats
Asheville now moves to 7-5 on the season, while ETSU drops to 7-5. The Bulldogs will remain at home, hosting Milligan on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
How it Happened
Pember scored 10 of Asheville's first 12 points, including a thunderous dunk as the Bulldogs raced out to a 15-2 advantage. With Asheville leading 36-21, ETSU was able to make the lead just nine at half.
Jones knocked down a 3-pointer early in the second and Pember converted a three-point play as the Bulldogs kept the Bucs at bay. With just over 12 to play, Jude found Jones in transition as the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native passed Andrew Rowsey (208)for second place all-time in made 3-pointers. Ty Brewer, who scored 23 points for ETSU, got the Bucs to within eight points near the midway point, but Asheville never let the game get any closer, with Jude's 200th 3-pointer sealing the game for the Bulldogs.
More from Morrell
On Drew Pember's play:
"He was terrific…We weren't the best version of ourselves at UT Martin and Drew was disappointed in how he played, but for him to respond the way he did was really fun to watch."
On Coty Jude and Tajion Jones
"We joked about it because I knew Coty was close to go ahead and get 200 let's not delay it. He got a few good looks against the zone and his teammates did a really good job finding him. I thought Trent (Stephney) and Doc (Battle) did a really good job of finding those guys. Drew rolling to the rim and Trent finding them allowed those guys to free up."
"I grew up watching East Tennessee State basketball and that's really where I fell in love with the game," said UNC Asheville Head Coach and Elizabethton native Mike Morrell of the win. "It was a good win, but it was a good win because they are a good program not because I'm from there. Nobody has more respect for them than me. Just a really good Southern Conference opponent. Really proud of our players and the growth of our program."
In addition to Pember's big day, Tajion Jones and Coty Jude registered some significant career milestones, as Jones moved into second place all-time for made 3-pointers at UNC Asheville (209) and Jude became the fifth member of 200-plus 3-point club at UNC Asheville, knocking down four treys to give him 200 in his four seasons of play.
Coty Jude is just the fifth Bulldog all-time to make 200 or more career 3-pointers!!
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) December 18, 2021
👏👏 @CotyJude22 #IWWD pic.twitter.com/Ck7ohHiuPB
Standout Stats
- Pember scores career-high 27 points, adds seven rebounds
- Jones moves into second place all-time at UNC Asheville in made 3-pointers (209)
- Coty Jude becomes fifth player to sink 200-plus 3-pointers at UNC Asheville
- Bulldogs win seven or more non-conference games for just the fifth time in 15 seasons
Asheville now moves to 7-5 on the season, while ETSU drops to 7-5. The Bulldogs will remain at home, hosting Milligan on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
How it Happened
Pember scored 10 of Asheville's first 12 points, including a thunderous dunk as the Bulldogs raced out to a 15-2 advantage. With Asheville leading 36-21, ETSU was able to make the lead just nine at half.
Jones knocked down a 3-pointer early in the second and Pember converted a three-point play as the Bulldogs kept the Bucs at bay. With just over 12 to play, Jude found Jones in transition as the Oak Ridge, Tennessee, native passed Andrew Rowsey (208)for second place all-time in made 3-pointers. Ty Brewer, who scored 23 points for ETSU, got the Bucs to within eight points near the midway point, but Asheville never let the game get any closer, with Jude's 200th 3-pointer sealing the game for the Bulldogs.
More from Morrell
On Drew Pember's play:
"He was terrific…We weren't the best version of ourselves at UT Martin and Drew was disappointed in how he played, but for him to respond the way he did was really fun to watch."
On Coty Jude and Tajion Jones
"We joked about it because I knew Coty was close to go ahead and get 200 let's not delay it. He got a few good looks against the zone and his teammates did a really good job finding him. I thought Trent (Stephney) and Doc (Battle) did a really good job of finding those guys. Drew rolling to the rim and Trent finding them allowed those guys to free up."
Players Mentioned
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