University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
2-3,0-0Big South
Lipscomb
4-2,0-0ASUN
Asheville Opens Northern Classic With 86-75 Loss to Lipscomb
11.24.2023 | Men's Basketball
LAVAL, CANADA– Despite three Bulldogs finishing in double-figures, the UNC Asheville men's basketball team opened the Nothern Classic Friday afternoon with an 86-75 loss to Lipscomb.
Drew Pember scored 28 points for the Bulldogs, Josh Banks had a season-high 20 points, and Jamon Battle added 11.
Neither team was able to find success from distance shooting, as each team only connected for three triples. The Bison connected for 29 shots from the field, 50 points from the paint, and finished 25-29 from the charity stripe. The Bulldogs connected for 27 shots from the field, 46 points from the paint, and finished 18-24 from the free-throw line. The Bison outshot Asheville 12-7 off turnovers and 18-7 from off the bench.
Lipscomb had five players in double-figure scoring and was led by Will Pruitt with 19.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A 3-pointer from Banks a little over three minutes into the game helped Asheville to a 10-6 lead, but back-to-back triples from Lipscomb would put the Bison ahead 12-10 with 15:44 remaining. A jumper from Pember would help Asheville retake the lead 16-14, but the Bison would follow with a 6-0 run, going ahead 20-16 with 10:28 left in the half. Pember would go on to be the only Bulldog to score in the final 13 minutes of action, as he scored 14 points, while Lipscomb was able to extend its lead out to 12 points and enter the second half ahead 42-30.
The Bison led by double figures through nearly the first 10 minutes of action before two made free throws and a jumper from Banks brought Lipscomb's lead back to nine (60-51). The Bulldogs cut even more into Lipscomb's lead following a dunk from Davion Cunningham and a jumper from Caleb Burgess (60-55). Asheville's momentum, however, was quickly thwarted by the Bison as Lipscomb worked its way back to a double-figure lead following an old-fashioned 3-pointer from Derrin Boyd. Lipscomb held a double-digit lead for the remainder of the contest.
UP NEXT
Following Friday's game, Asheville falls to 2-3 on the season, and Lipscomb moves to 4-2.
The Bulldogs will look to bounce back on day two of the Northern Classic as they face Wofford at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 25.
