University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Lipscomb
GAME PREVIEW: Bulldogs Head North of the Border for Northern Classic
11.23.2023 | Men's Basketball
TOURNAMENT DETAILS
- Friday, Nov. 24- UNC Asheville (2-2) vs. Lipscomb (3-2) | 2 p.m.
- Saturday, Nov. 25- UNC Asheville vs. Wofford (2-2) | 4:30 p.m.
- Sunday, Nov. 26- UNC Asheville vs. WKU (3-1) | 11 a.m.
- Live Stats
- Watch Live
- Game Notes
LAST TIME OUT
Asheville's last time out featured Fletcher Abee breaking the school record for most 3-pointers in a single game, as he finished with nine 3-pointers and 32 points to help Asheville to a 114-59 victory over Virginia University of Lynchburg. Abee's nine triples also led the team to tie the program record for most team 3-pointers in a game with 19. Abee is the only player in the Big South to record a 30+ game this season.
Abee's four 3-pointers helped Asheville to a 12-0 run to start Saturday's contest, and the Dragons did not find the back of the net until nearly five minutes into the game. A 3-pointer from Brown helped Lynchburg on the board, but Pember answered with a triple of his own to extend Asheville's lead back out to 16 (19-3).
The Bulldogs reached a 20-point lead following a jumper from Solomon with 10:34 remaining in the first half (31-11). With 7:02 remaining in the half, Abee recorded his fifth triple of the day and drew a foul when attempting another three-pointer with 5:41. Abee sank all three free throws to help Asheville extend its lead to 31 points (48-18). Abee scored another triple nearly 30 seconds later, rounding out a 10-2 run in which he scored nine of the 10 points (52-18). Asheville entered halftime leading 63-26. '
Abee returned to work in the second half, opening the scoring with his seventh triple of the day and followed with his eighth at the 17:25 mark (71-28). Abee secured the single-game 3-point record with 15:18 remaining in the contest, with his final three-pointer helping Asheville to a 53-point lead (81-28). For a second consecutive time, a triple from Dean Gabrelcik helped Asheville pass the century mark, as Asheville led 101-46 with 6:59 remaining. The Bulldogs closed the game with 16 points, while the Dragons scored eight. Asheville's victory over VUL marked their second consecutive 100+ point victory, as Asheville defeated Carolina University on Nov. 14, 117-54.
A HELPING HAND
The Bulldogs totaled 32 assists in its 117-54 victory over Carolina University last week, the most by a Big South member since last season when Gardner-Webb posted 32 helpers in its win over Carolina University on Dec. 14, 2022. Caleb Burgess and Evan Johnson led Asheville with 10 assists apiece. Asheville recorded 29 assists against Virginia-Lynchburg and ranks 10th in the country with 22.0 assists per game.
HOT OFF THE BENCH
Asheville's bench has accounted for 47% of the Bulldogs' points this season. Asheville's top players off the bench have been Johnson, averaging 11.3 points per game, and Toyaz Solomon, averaging 10.8.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Drew Pember leads the Bulldogs with 60 points scored (15 ppg), a .808 free-throw percentage (21-26), 23 rebounds (6.8 rpg), and seven blocks. Solomon is leading in field goal percentage with a .750 and is 18-24. Abee is leading the team and Big South Conference in 3-point field goals, going 13-26 (.500). Burgess leads the team and Big South Conference with 25 assists (6.3 ast/g).
ASHEVILLE'S OPPONENTS
This will be Asheville's first time facing Lipscomb and WKU and the Bulldogs' 27th time facing Wofford. Asheville holds a 17-9 lead over the Terriers.
Lipscomb's last time out saw the Bison defeating Alabama A&M 106-81. Lipscomb is led this season by Derrin Boyd, who is averaging 20.2 points a game and 3.4 rebounds a game.
Wofford enters the tournament following a 98-76 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies. The Terriers are being led this season by Corey Tripp, who is averaging 16 points a game, 4.5 rebounds a game, and 15 assists on the season.
Western Kentucky heads to Canada following a 95-75 win over Kentucky State. WKU is being led by Don McHenry, who is averaging 13.8 points per game and leads the team with 12 assists.
FOLLOW ALONG
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