University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
7-6,0-0Big South
Appalachian State University
9-3,0-0Sun Belt
Banks’ Record Night, Pember’s Triple-Double Lead Asheville to Big Win Over Mountaineers
12.22.2023 | Men's Basketball
HICKORY, N.C. – Josh Banks and Drew Pember turned in record-setting evenings to help the UNC Asheville men's basketball team to a 76-63 victory over Appalachian State in the Tarlton Complex.
BANKS' RECORD NIGHT
In the first half alone, Banks connected for nine three-pointers to tie the program's three-point record, set by Fletcher Abee earlier this season on Nov. 18. Three minutes and 37 seconds into the second half, Banks connected for his 10th triple of the evening and set a new program record for most three-pointers in a game. Banks finished 10-for-18 from the field, with all 10 baskets coming from distance, and was a perfect 3-for-3 from the free throw line to finish with a career-high 33 points.
ADDING ANOTHER RECORD TO PEMBER'S SHELF
Pember finished the game with 15 rebounds, 11 points, and 10 assists, becoming the third player in program history to record a triple-double. Pember joins LJ Thorpe, who recorded a triple-double on Feb. 10, 2020, with 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, and Kenny George who recorded his triple-double on Nov. 17, 2007, with 20 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 blocks. Pember is the 11th player in the NCAA to record a triple-double this season and the only player from the Big South. Pember has now turned in double-digit point outings in 11 of the 12 games he has played.
McMULLEN'S DOUBLE-DOUBLE
Nick McMullen recorded his first double-double of the season as the senior finished the night with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Thursday's double-double marked McMullen's fourth double-double of his career.
TEAM STATS
As a team, Asheville finished with a .452 field goal percentage, going 28-for-62 from the field. The Bulldogs were 14-for-25 from perimeter shooting to finish with a .560 shooting percentage. App State entered Thursday's contest at No. 2 in the nation in field goal percentage defense, limiting their opponents to a .355 field goal percentage. The Bulldogs outshot the Mountaineers from the field, with App State finishing with a .359 shooting percentage, and went 3-for-24 from the 3-point arc. Asheville recorded more rebounds than the Mountaineers, with the Bulldogs finishing with 46 (11 offensive and 35 defensive) and App State finishing with 37 (10 offensive and 27 defensive).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pember and Banks connected for back-to-back three-pointers to help Asheville to an early 6-0 lead.
PEMBER FOR THREE!!
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) December 22, 2023
We get the first points on the board here in Hickory. #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/V5DBNUfnAn
The Mountaineers tied the game at nine with a triple of their own before Banks sank back-to-back 3-pointers to put Asheville ahead by six (15-9).
Drew Pember finds Josh Banks for Banks' third consecutive triple! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/3e1UVqccrI
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) December 22, 2023
A layup from Caleb Burgess with 8:34 left in the half would help the Bulldogs earn a 10-point lead, but the Mountaineers brought it back down to eight points following a layup from Donovan Gregory. With 7:53 remaining, Banks would go on to extend Asheville's lead back out to double-figures, starting with a pair of free throws, followed by three triples, and a trip to the free throw line following the second made triple. At the end of the first half, Asheville led 44-23, and Banks had 30 points.
We head into the second half leading 44-23!
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) December 22, 2023
Josh Banks has 30 points and ties the school record in threes... in the first half. 🤯#ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/zz7PUA2upp
Up until 13:33 remaining in the second half, Banks had more points than the entire App State offense, with his only basket in the second half being his record-breaking 10th 3-pointer. Asheville maintained a 20-point plus lead until a free-throw from Gregory with 6:25 remaining brought the Bulldogs' lead down to 19. With 2:54 left in the contest, a triple from Terence Harcum brought App State within 12 points of Asheville's lead, but that was as close as Appalachian State would get.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs advanced to 7-6 following Thursday's victory and snapped the Mountaineers' 8-game win streak, sending their record to 9-3.
Asheville will return to Kimmel Arena for its final home contest of the 2023 portion of the season, as the Bulldogs host Kennesaw State in the second half of their home-and-home series on Saturday, Dec. 23, at 2 p.m.
Tickets for Saturday's game can be purchased here.
To stay updated with all things surrounding Asheville men's basketball, follow the team on 𝕩.
