University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics

Sunday, November 20
Atlanta, GA
3:30 pm

UNC Asheville

3-2,0-0Big South

68
at
74

Georgia State

4-2,0-0Sun Belt

1
2
F
UNC Asheville
30
38
68
Georgia St.
29
45
74
jones-gsu

Bulldogs fall on final day of Capitol Classic to Georgia State, 74-68

11.20.2022 | Men's Basketball

ATLANTA, Ga. –  The UNC Asheville men's basketball team dropped a 74-68 decision on the final day of the Capitol Classic to Georgia State on Sunday.

The tandem of Tajion Jones (21 points) and Drew Pember (20 points) led the charge for Asheville on Sunday. Alex Caldwell also had his top scoring effort as a Bulldog chipping in eight points off the bench.

The first 20 minutes was back-and-forth between the Bulldogs and Panthers as the lead changed nine times and the score was tied on four occasions. Georgia State scored most of its points in the paint (16), while Asheville held the edge from beyond the arc. Jones was especially good, connecting on five 3-pointers and finished the half with 17 points to fuel the Bulldog offense.
Asheville also held the edge on the glass, out rebounding the Panthers 19-15 in the opening half that included an eight to four advantage in offensive rebounding. Thanks to their long-distance shooting and rebounding, the Bulldogs held a 30-29 lead at the half.

The two teams continued to battle it out upon returning from halftime. The first sizable swing in momentum appeared to occur when Georgia State hit four of five field goals to build a five-point lead, 45-40.

Georgia State's lead briefly moved to six points before four made free throws from Pember and a layup from Jones brought Asheville back even with about eight minutes to go in regulation.

The Panthers put together another 6-0 run to change a 54-54 tied score into a 60-54 lead with 1:58 to go. Asheville attempted to prolong the game with quick makes and fouling Georgia State quickly. The Panthers, however, went a perfect 12-for-12 from the free throw line down the stretch to finish off the 74-68 win.

Following the tournament, both Pember and Jones were named to the Capitol Classic All-Tournament Team. 

The Bulldogs will be back in action next Saturday when they welcome in Western Carolina to Kimmel Arena in a rivalry contest. Tip-off between the Bulldogs and Catamounts is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+ and CW62
 
 
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