University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
0-1,0-0Big South
Michigan
1-0,0-0Big Ten
Bulldogs Fall in Season Opener at Michigan
11.07.2023 | Men's Basketball
ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Three Bulldogs finished in double figures in UNC Asheville's season-opening 99-74 loss to Michigan at the Crisler Center on Tuesday evening.
After only scoring four points after picking up three fouls early in the first half, Drew Pember made quick work in the second half, scoring 15 points, to lead the Bulldogs with 19 points on the night. Pember connected with three 3-pointers and was 8-for-10 from the free throw line.
Josh Banks, in his debut as a Bulldog, finished with 18 points, going 5-for-9 from the field and connecting with four triples. He was a perfect 4-for-4 from behind the charity stripe. Evan Johnson also made his Bulldog debut with 12 points, shooting 50 percent from the field, connecting with one three-pointer, and was 3-for-3 from the free throw line.
Asheville was led under the basket with six rebounds from both Nick McMullen and Jamon Battle. Caleb Burgess led with seven assists.
The Wolverines had four players in double-figures, with Olivier Nkamhoua leading the way with 25 points.
Michigan was able to score 18 points off UNC Asheville turnovers, while the Bulldogs were only able to score nine. The Wolverines dominated the paint, outscoring Asheville 42-16. Off the bench, Asheville outscored Michigan 24-15.
How It Happened
Four turnovers in the first 3:45 of play found the Bulldogs in early trouble, as the Wolverines quickly jumped out to a nine-point lead (15-6). Asheville brought the score back within five before a 3-pointer from Dug McDaniel, followed by a layup from Nkamhoua, allowed Michigan to earn a double-digit lead with nearly 10 minutes remaining in the opening frame.
Michigan extended its lead out to as many as 21 points, but the Bulldogs cut the Wolverines' lead back down to 16, following a jumper from Evan Johnson to close the first half. At the break, Michigan led 48-32.
Banks was the first Bulldog on the scoreboard in the second half as he connected with back-to-back triples (56-38). This would be the last time Asheville would trail by less than 20 points, as Michigan quickly responded with a 7-0 run and earned its largest lead of the night at 29 points with 12:45 remaining in the half. Pember picked up his fourth foul of the game less than 90 seconds into the half and did not go back in until there was 14:25 remaining. Pember was fouled less than a minute back in the game and immediately went to work, cutting down Michigan's lead. His first seven points back in the game were scored from the free throw line.
Back-to-back three-pointers from Pember and Fletcher Abee, followed by a layup from Pember, helped the Bulldogs bring Michigan's lead back down to 20 points (79-59). The Wolverines, however, answered with three consecutive 3-pointers to extend its lead back out, and the Bulldogs were unable to make a comeback.
Up Next
Asheville will host UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Nov. 11, in its home opener at Kimmel Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. The first 300 fans through the doors will receive a 2022-23 Big South Championship Pennant, and at halftime, the UNC Asheville Pep Band will be performing a Veterans Day tribute. You can purchase your tickets to Saturday's game here.
