University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Saturday, January 7
Asheville, NC
2 pm
UNC Asheville
11-6,3-1Big South
58
vs
55
Campbell
6-10,1-3Big South
1
2
F
Campbell
34
21
55
UNC Asheville
19
39
58
Second Half Rally Lifts Asheville past Campbell, 58-55
01.07.2023 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team erased an 18-point second half deficit to defeat Campbell by a score of 58-55 on Saturday afternoon at Kimmel Arena. With the victory, Asheville improves to 11-6 overall and 3-1 in Big South play.
The 18-point comeback marked the second largest second half comeback by Asheville in the history of Kimmel Arena. The only comeback larger than Saturday's occurred on January 6, 2016 when the Bulldogs rallied from being behind by 23 points to Winthrop to win, 85-84. Furthermore, the win boosts Asheville's home record to a perfect 6-0 on the season matching its best start to a home schedule since 2017-18 when the team also started 6-0.
Drew Pember led the way for Asheville on Saturday with another double-double finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five blocks. Pember also went 11-for-12 from the free throw line to help the cause. Tajion Jones, who appeared in his program record 131st game as a Bulldog on Saturday, added 12 points on an efficient 4-for-7 day from the field that included a 3-for-4 effort from beyond the arc.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-3 lead on the Camels on Saturday. However, Campbell battled back to tie the score. After it rallied to tie the score, Campbell kept coming at the Bulldogs and was able to knock down five 3-pointers in the first half to build a lead of its own. The Camels closed the half on a 13-0 run and led Asheville 34-19 at the break.
Following the break, the Bulldogs were able to find some rhythm offensively. Asheville went a very efficient 9-for-16 from the field and was able to generate 23 free throw tries in the second half. A mix of those factors along with a 9-0 run in the middle of the half quickly cut into the Campbell lead. A dunk by Pember with 4:12 to go in regulation tied the score at 46-46.
Asheville will be back in action next Thursday when it welcomes Longwood to Kimmel Arena. Tip-off between the Bulldogs and Lancers is set for 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
The 18-point comeback marked the second largest second half comeback by Asheville in the history of Kimmel Arena. The only comeback larger than Saturday's occurred on January 6, 2016 when the Bulldogs rallied from being behind by 23 points to Winthrop to win, 85-84. Furthermore, the win boosts Asheville's home record to a perfect 6-0 on the season matching its best start to a home schedule since 2017-18 when the team also started 6-0.
Drew Pember led the way for Asheville on Saturday with another double-double finishing with 22 points and 10 rebounds to go along with five blocks. Pember also went 11-for-12 from the free throw line to help the cause. Tajion Jones, who appeared in his program record 131st game as a Bulldog on Saturday, added 12 points on an efficient 4-for-7 day from the field that included a 3-for-4 effort from beyond the arc.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an 8-3 lead on the Camels on Saturday. However, Campbell battled back to tie the score. After it rallied to tie the score, Campbell kept coming at the Bulldogs and was able to knock down five 3-pointers in the first half to build a lead of its own. The Camels closed the half on a 13-0 run and led Asheville 34-19 at the break.
Following the break, the Bulldogs were able to find some rhythm offensively. Asheville went a very efficient 9-for-16 from the field and was able to generate 23 free throw tries in the second half. A mix of those factors along with a 9-0 run in the middle of the half quickly cut into the Campbell lead. A dunk by Pember with 4:12 to go in regulation tied the score at 46-46.
Both teams traded turns with the lead in the final four minutes. Most of Asheville's offense in those minutes came from the free throw line. The Bulldogs went 12-for-14 from the line in those final minutes. Pember, who is the nation's leader in free throws made and attempted, drained two free throws to give Asheville a 53-52 lead with 56 seconds remaining. Fletcher Abee, Alex Caldwell, Amadou Sylla all hit on key attempts after that to finish off the thrilling 58-55 comeback win..@drewpember with the dunk from floor side in Kimmel 😱#ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/bFVLZMRBIi
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) January 7, 2023
Asheville will be back in action next Thursday when it welcomes Longwood to Kimmel Arena. Tip-off between the Bulldogs and Lancers is set for 7 p.m. on ESPNU.
Team Stats
Campb
AVL
FG%
.364
.390
3FG%
.400
.375
FT%
.750
.741
RB
32
33
TO
12
14
STL
8
5
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
22
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
11
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
8
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
5
FGM
2
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
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