University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
8-7,0-0Big South
UAB
8-5,0-0AAC
Early lead unable to hold up for Bulldogs at UAB
12.29.2023 | Men's Basketball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team traveled to face the University of Alabama Birmingham Blazers Friday evening in its final nonconference matchup of the season and fell to the Blazers 90-85.
IN THE BOX
Drew Pember recorded a season-high 30 points, going 9-for-14 from the field and 12-for-13 from the free throw line. Pember also led Asheville with three blocks.
Nick McMullen turned in his third consecutive double-double as he finished the night with 14 points and 14 boards.
Fletcher Abee recorded 13 points, and Caleb Burgess finished with 10 points and led the team with eight assists.
The Bulldogs came out hot in the first half, finishing with a .581 field goal percentage and going 3-for-3 from distance, but cold shooting in the second half hindered Asheville's momentum, as the Bulldogs in the second half had a .345 shooting percentage and went 3-for-15 from distance.
From the first to the second half, the Blazers increased their field goal shooting percentage from .250 to .486, and their 3-point shooting increased from .182 to .444. UAB was nearly perfect from the charity stripe as the Blazers were 14-for-14 in the first half and 20-for-22 in the second half. UAB also had four players turn in double-digit outings and was led by Yaxe Lendeborg with 24 points.
ON THE COURT
Less than 15 seconds into the game, Burgess found McMullen for a quick layup to help set the tone for Asheville. The Bulldogs worked their way to a double-digit lead following a free throw from Pember with 12:38 remaining in the half (19-9). The Bulldogs did not trail by less than six for the remainder of the half and worked their way out to a 12-point lead to close the half on a 6-0 run.
Pember led all scorers at the half with 19 points.
The Blazers opened the second half on a 12-0 run, tipping the momentum in their favor. The Blazers secured their first lead of the night with a 3-pointer to put them ahead 47-44. A layup from Burgess a minute later put Asheville back on top (49-47), but that would end up being Asheville's final lead of the night. The Bulldogs did not allow UAB to extend their lead past five points up until there were 4:35 remaining in the contest. The Blazers extended their lead by as many as nine points in the final minutes, and Asheville was unable to perform the comeback.
UP NEXT
Friday's game concluded the Bulldogs' nonconference schedule, as Asheville now turns its attention to Big South Conference play, as they host USC Upstate on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 6 p.m. in Kimmel Arena.
