University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
5-5,0-0Big South
Western Carolina
7-2,0-0SoCon
Men’s Basketball Falls 78-63 to WCU
12.09.2023 | Men's Basketball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team traveled to face Western Carolina University Saturday afternoon and fell to the Catamounts 78-63.
IN THE BOX
Fletcher Abee led Asheville's offense with 21 points, going 5-for-7 from the 3-point arc. Drew Pember followed, scoring 18 points, and led the team with six rebounds and five assists.
The Bulldogs shot .375 from the field, whereas the Catamounts shot .552. Both teams were evenly matched behind the 3-point arc, as Asheville shot .450 and WCU shot .455. Asheville took more trips to the free-throw line than Western, finishing 12-for-14 while Western was 4-for-8.
The Catamounts outscored Asheville in the paint 44-16, 13-4 off turnovers, 15-7 off fast break points, and 21-13 on points from the bench.
ON THE COURT
Asheville opened Saturday's contest with a 5-0 lead, following a jumper from Josh Banks and a 3-pointer from Abee. The Catamounts quickly responded, tying the score at five, before Davion Cunningham connected for a layup following a steal from Fletcher Abee to extend Asheville's lead back to two (7-5).
This would be the Bulldogs' final lead of the night, as the Catamounts responded with a 12-2 run to jump ahead 17-9. Jamon Battle responded with a pair of free throws before the Catamounts extended their lead back to nine following a 3-pointer. Pember answered with a 3-pointer before WCU went on an 11-3 run (32-17).
With 50 seconds left in the first half, a triple and a jumper from Abee brought Western's lead back down to seven points before a dunk by the Catamounts helped WCU enter the break leading 38-29. Abee led Asheville at halftime with 11 points.
Western extended its lead out of the break to 11 before a jumper and 3-pointer from Abee brought the score back within six. This was as close as Asheville would get to Western's lead, as the Catamounts responded with an 11-2 run and never looked back.
GAME NOTES
- Pember has now scored double-digit points in the last five contests and has found his way in the double-digit column in eight of the nine games he's played.
- Western is the second team Asheville has faced this season, ranked in the CollegeInsider Mid Major Top 25, with the Catamounts checking in at No. 11 and UNCW checking in at No. 7 when the Bulldogs faced them back on Nov. 11.
- Four Catamounts scored 10-plus points, with Vonterius Woolbright recording a double-double with 23 points and 12 boards.
- Saturday night was the 58th matchup between Asheville and WCU. The Catamounts now have a 34-24 series lead.
- Asheville's record falls to 5-5, while Western advances to 7-2.
UP NEXT
The Bulldogs are back on the road on Wednesday, Dec. 13, as they face Auburn at 8 p.m. ET in Huntsville, Ala., in the Rocket City Classic.
