University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Wednesday, February 8
Asheville, NC
6:30 pm
UNC Asheville
19-7,11-2Big South
86
vs
79
Winthrop
11-15,6-7Big South
1
2
F
Winthrop
16
63
79
UNC Asheville
34
52
86
Bulldogs get back in the win column with an 86-79 victory over Winthrop
02.08.2023 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team got back into the win column on Wednesday night outlasting Winthrop by a score of 86-79 at Kimmel Arena. The victory not only boosts Asheville's overall record to 19-7 overall and 11-2 in Big South play but it also improves the Bulldogs' record to 11-0 at home this season.
Drew Pember led the way for the Bulldogs scoring a team-high 23 points to go with eight rebounds. By scoring his first two points on Wednesday, Pember became the 38th player in program history to score 1,000 points.
Tajion Jones, who appeared in his Big South record 140th game on Wednesday, added 15 points, while the trio of Nick McMullen (12 points, 6-for-6 from field, six rebounds), Alex Caldwell (12 points), and Fletcher Abee (10 points) finished up the night in double figures as well.
Wednesday's matchup was a game split into two very different halves. In the first, the Bulldogs dominated Winthrop defensively. The Bulldogs held the Eagles to just 16 points in the first half. It is the lowest point total that the Bulldogs have held a Division I opponent to since March 4, 2016 when they held Liberty to 16 points as well.
Asheville kept coming at the Eagles in the second half. The Bulldogs, who finished the second half shooting 6-for-9 from 3-point range, reeled off a 15-0 run in the early minutes to build a 31-point lead, 57-26.
Despite the significant hole, Winthrop did not quit. Over the next 12:08, Winthrop went 13-for-18 from the field, which included a 5-for-6 effort from 3-point range, and 18-for-20 from the free throw line to cut the Bulldog lead down to four points, 79-75, with 1:03 to go.
Even with Winthrop having the momentum, Asheville found a way to close out the win. Jones broke a press and found McMullen for a key bucket to get the Bulldogs back up by six, 81-75.
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday when they visit Presbyterian in another Big South clash. Tip-off between Asheville and Presbyterian is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Drew Pember led the way for the Bulldogs scoring a team-high 23 points to go with eight rebounds. By scoring his first two points on Wednesday, Pember became the 38th player in program history to score 1,000 points.
Tajion Jones, who appeared in his Big South record 140th game on Wednesday, added 15 points, while the trio of Nick McMullen (12 points, 6-for-6 from field, six rebounds), Alex Caldwell (12 points), and Fletcher Abee (10 points) finished up the night in double figures as well.
Wednesday's matchup was a game split into two very different halves. In the first, the Bulldogs dominated Winthrop defensively. The Bulldogs held the Eagles to just 16 points in the first half. It is the lowest point total that the Bulldogs have held a Division I opponent to since March 4, 2016 when they held Liberty to 16 points as well.
Asheville kept coming at the Eagles in the second half. The Bulldogs, who finished the second half shooting 6-for-9 from 3-point range, reeled off a 15-0 run in the early minutes to build a 31-point lead, 57-26.
The Bulldogs are having fun tonight as they extend their lead over Winthrop to 31 points! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/BVRIX0HpsQ
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) February 9, 2023
Despite the significant hole, Winthrop did not quit. Over the next 12:08, Winthrop went 13-for-18 from the field, which included a 5-for-6 effort from 3-point range, and 18-for-20 from the free throw line to cut the Bulldog lead down to four points, 79-75, with 1:03 to go.
Even with Winthrop having the momentum, Asheville found a way to close out the win. Jones broke a press and found McMullen for a key bucket to get the Bulldogs back up by six, 81-75.
In an attempt to extend the game, the Eagles tried to score quickly and immediately foul. The Bulldogs, however, made five of their six free throws in the final minute (three from Caleb Burgess, two from Jones) to cap their 12th straight home win dating back to last season.Tajion breaks the press & gives it to McMullen to extend Asheville's lead back out to six! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/0pBZtEQcLk
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) February 9, 2023
The Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday when they visit Presbyterian in another Big South clash. Tip-off between Asheville and Presbyterian is scheduled for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Win
AVL
FG%
.463
.483
3FG%
.318
.471
FT%
.710
.786
RB
32
35
TO
16
12
STL
4
4
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
23
FGM
6
3FGM
2
FTM
9
Pts
15
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
5
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
2
Pts
12
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
G
/ Men's Basketball
G
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballG
/ Men's BasketballF
/ Men's BasketballF
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