University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, January 22
Radford, VA.
2:00 p.m.
UNC Asheville
11-8,3-3Big South
78
at
74
Radford
6-12,2-4Big South
1
2
OT 1
F
UNC Asheville
36
28
14
78
Radford
26
38
10
74
Pember went 15-for-16 from the free throw line Saturday
Pember’s 41 points lifts Asheville to 78-74 overtime victory at Radford
01.22.2022 | Men's Basketball
Asheville wins at Radford for first time since 2014
RADFORD, Va. – Drew Pember scored a career-high 41 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, lifting the UNC Asheville men's basketball team to its first victory at Radford since December 31, 2014, as the Bulldogs topped the Highlanders 78-74 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing by two with six seconds to play, Trent Stepney hit a fastbreak-jumper to send the game to overtime where Asheville outscored Radford 14-10. Pember, who went 15-of-16 from the free-throw line, became just the eighth Bulldog to score 40 or more points, registering his second double-double of the season.
"We were running a lot of stuff through him, and I think that's the biggest thing that stands out for him offensively is his ability to get to the free throw line," UNC Asheville head coach Mike Morrell said of Pember. "He's a really good driver. He was terrific today. We needed every ounce out of him that we could get. Really proud of him because he was good defensively as well."
Standout Stats
The win snaps a three-game losing streak for UNC Asheville and improves its overall record to 11-8, evening its conference record at 3-3. Radford, meanwhile, drops to 6-12 and 2-4 in conference play.
"We've had three one-possession games, a loss in overtime and our guys just needed that winning feeling again and they were literally willing to do whatever to get it so I think that showed up," said Morrell. "Whether it was respond when things didn't go their way or responding when things go their way…really proud of all those guys just for their response because it's really hard to do well if you don't respond the right way.
How it Happened
Pember opened up the game by scoring the first 11 points as Asheville led 11-6. Pember, Stephney and Silas Mason all scored, leading to a Jones 3-pointer which made the score 25-16 in favor of the Bulldogs, ultimately taking a 36-26 lead into half.
Pember opened the second with a jumper but the Highlanders began to cut into the deficit, taking a 43-42 lead with 12:34 to play in the second. Radford would extend its lead to six but a three from Jones and free throws from Pember made the score 53-52 with 4:28 to play in regulation. Pember continued to get to the line, knocking down his free throws as the score was evened at 62-62 with 34 seconds. After Radford pulled in front 64-62, Stephney answered with a pull-up jump shot to send the sides to overtime.
Pember continued his scoring effort in overtime, scoring in the lane and Jones' third trey of the afternoon put Asheville in front 70-69. After Radford answered, Battle slammed home a feed from Stephney to give the Bulldogs the lead back. With less than two to play, Stephney came up with a steal, with Pember and Jones knocking down six free throws in the last 1:30 to clinch the game.
More from Morrell
On Trent Stephney forcing overtime
"We found a way to get it into overtime with Trent (Stephney) making an enormous play. Our guys really listened because we talked about that exact thing, if they score or we get a stop, we want to get it to the other end and I'm not going to call a timeout unless it doesn't look good. So I just let it go and he was able to get to the cup."
On Tajion Jones:
"Tay was Tay today. He did a lot things that didn't show up in the stat sheet. He had 17 points and eight rebounds. He was terrific cutting off the ball. When he and Drew combine for 58 points that's a good day for us. He just made a ton of big shots and those free throws at the end were just huge."
Trailing by two with six seconds to play, Trent Stepney hit a fastbreak-jumper to send the game to overtime where Asheville outscored Radford 14-10. Pember, who went 15-of-16 from the free-throw line, became just the eighth Bulldog to score 40 or more points, registering his second double-double of the season.
"We were running a lot of stuff through him, and I think that's the biggest thing that stands out for him offensively is his ability to get to the free throw line," UNC Asheville head coach Mike Morrell said of Pember. "He's a really good driver. He was terrific today. We needed every ounce out of him that we could get. Really proud of him because he was good defensively as well."
Standout Stats
- Drew Pember scores career-high 41 points, 8th player in program history to score 40+
- Bulldogs pick up first win at Radford since December 31, 2014 (62-60)
- Tajion Jones totals 17 and 8, helps seal game with free throws
- Pember's 11 rebounds gives him second double-double of career; 15-of-16 from the free-throw line
- Asheville shoots 47.7 percent from floor, holds Radford to 2-of-10 shooting from 3-point range
The win snaps a three-game losing streak for UNC Asheville and improves its overall record to 11-8, evening its conference record at 3-3. Radford, meanwhile, drops to 6-12 and 2-4 in conference play.
"We've had three one-possession games, a loss in overtime and our guys just needed that winning feeling again and they were literally willing to do whatever to get it so I think that showed up," said Morrell. "Whether it was respond when things didn't go their way or responding when things go their way…really proud of all those guys just for their response because it's really hard to do well if you don't respond the right way.
How it Happened
Pember opened up the game by scoring the first 11 points as Asheville led 11-6. Pember, Stephney and Silas Mason all scored, leading to a Jones 3-pointer which made the score 25-16 in favor of the Bulldogs, ultimately taking a 36-26 lead into half.
Pember opened the second with a jumper but the Highlanders began to cut into the deficit, taking a 43-42 lead with 12:34 to play in the second. Radford would extend its lead to six but a three from Jones and free throws from Pember made the score 53-52 with 4:28 to play in regulation. Pember continued to get to the line, knocking down his free throws as the score was evened at 62-62 with 34 seconds. After Radford pulled in front 64-62, Stephney answered with a pull-up jump shot to send the sides to overtime.
Pember continued his scoring effort in overtime, scoring in the lane and Jones' third trey of the afternoon put Asheville in front 70-69. After Radford answered, Battle slammed home a feed from Stephney to give the Bulldogs the lead back. With less than two to play, Stephney came up with a steal, with Pember and Jones knocking down six free throws in the last 1:30 to clinch the game.
More from Morrell
On Trent Stephney forcing overtime
"We found a way to get it into overtime with Trent (Stephney) making an enormous play. Our guys really listened because we talked about that exact thing, if they score or we get a stop, we want to get it to the other end and I'm not going to call a timeout unless it doesn't look good. So I just let it go and he was able to get to the cup."
On Tajion Jones:
"Tay was Tay today. He did a lot things that didn't show up in the stat sheet. He had 17 points and eight rebounds. He was terrific cutting off the ball. When he and Drew combine for 58 points that's a good day for us. He just made a ton of big shots and those free throws at the end were just huge."
Team Stats
UNC-A
Rad
FG%
.477
.418
3FG%
.444
.217
FT%
.875
.650
RB
33
33
TO
16
10
STL
3
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
41
FGM
11
3FGM
4
FTM
15
Pts
17
FGM
5
3FGM
3
FTM
4
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
4
Pts
5
FGM
1
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
F
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballHighlights || Men's Basketball || #2 UNC Asheville vs #5 Longwood (Big South Tournament)
Monday, March 18
Highlights || Men's Basketball || #2 UNC Asheville vs #3 Gardner-Webb (Big South Tournament)
Monday, March 18
Highlights || Men's Basketball || #2 UNC Asheville vs #7 Charleston Southern (Big South Tournament)
Thursday, March 14
Highlights || Men's Basketball || UNC Asheville at Radford
Monday, March 04