University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Stephen F. Austin
Bulldogs face Stephen F. Austin Saturday in College Basketball Invitational
03.18.2022 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – For the first time since 2018, UNC Asheville men's basketball is competing in postseason play, opening up the College Basketball Invitational Saturday with a matchup against Stephen F. Austin at 2:30 p.m. in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Who: UNC Asheville (16-14, 8-8 Big South) vs. Stephen F. Austin (22-9, 14-4 WAC)
When: Saturday (3/19) at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Daytona Beach, Florida – Ocean Center
How to Follow
Stats: Live
Watch: FloSports
Listen: 570 WWNC
About the Tournament
In existence since 2008, the CBI is a 16-team, single-elimination tournament that will run from March 19-23. With the exception of those teams who play first-round games on Saturday, all rounds are played on consecutive days, with the quarterfinals being held on Monday and the tournament wrapping up Wednesday. To learn more about the CBI, the field, tickets and its history, visit their website here.
Last Time Out
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back after a heartbreaking end to the Big South Championship, in which they fell 79-78 at the buzzer to Charleston Southern. Defensive Player of the Year and All-Big South First Team member Drew Pember was limited to just 16 minutes due to foul trouble, but still managed to score 16 points. Despite shooting 46.3 percent from the floor and committing just nine turnovers, Charleston Southern was able to score 36 points in the paint and shoot 52.7 percent from the floor to edge out the Bulldogs.
Series History
The Bulldogs and Jacks have met just once in their respective histories, as Stephen F. Austin prevailed 91-73 in the NAIA Playoffs in Kansas City (1971).
Scouting the Lumberjacks
Stephen F. Austin, which has two NCAA Tournament wins in the last eight years, had a strong 2021-22 season, going 22-9 with a 14-4 record in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). Perhaps the biggest strength of the Jacks is their ability to force turnovers, forcing 18 per game which ranks fifth in Division I, ranking 13th in steals per game (9.0). The Jacks are prone to turning the ball over themselves, however, averaging 16.5 per game. Senior forward Gavin Kensmil leads the offensive attack for Stephen F. Austin, scoring 16.2 points per game, shooting 61.9 percent from the floor (10th, NCAA) and attempting 211 free throws (9th). Before falling to Abilene Christian in the WAC Tournament, Stephen F. Austin had won 10 straight games.
