University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Charleston Southern
GAME PREVIEW: Bulldogs Head to Charleston Southern for Saturday Big South Action
01.26.2024 | Men's Basketball
GAME DETAILS
- UNC Asheville (13-8, 5-1) vs. Charleston Southern (6-13, 2-4)
- Saturday, January 27, 2024
- Charleston, S.C. || Buccaneer Fieldhouse
- Time: 5:30 p.m.
- Watch Live: ESPN+ | PxP: Mike Ward Analyst: Jack Delongchamps Sideline: Justin Biegel
- Listen: Bulldog Radio Network (WWNC 570)
- Live Stats
ASHEVILLE'S LAST TIME OUT
The UNC Asheville men's basketball team's starting five reached double-digit scoring to help the Bulldogs defeat Radford University 81-69 on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
The Highlanders jumped out to a six-point lead in the opening minutes of the game before Asheville stormed back, tying the game at 13 following a triple from Josh Banks. Radford once again extended their lead, going on an 8-0 run (21-13). Back-to-back triples from Banks and Fletcher Abee quickly cut into Radford's lead, and a successful trip to the free-throw line from Caleb Burgess tied the game at 21.
Tied at 31 with 5:09 remaining, Asheville went on an 11-2 run, sparked by a layup from Greg Gantt Jr. and a triple from Abee. Asheville's run helped the Bulldogs enter halftime leading 42-36.
Asheville's momentum carried over to the second frame, with Drew Pember connecting for the first five points of the half, earning the Bulldogs their first double-digit lead (47-36). Asheville extended their double-digit lead out by as many as 15, but the Highlanders were able to cut Asheville's lead back down to single-digits, following a triple from DaQuan Smith.
With 7:33 remaining, Radford made it a two-possession game, trailing the Bulldogs by four, before Burgess went on a 5-0 run. Burgess connected for a fastbreak jumper, drew a foul for a trip to the free throw line, and connected for another jumper to help Asheville retake a nine-point lead. Radford brought the game back within five with 2:22 remaining, but that was as close as the Highlanders would get, as Asheville closed the game on a 10-3 run.
BULLDOG FIVE FINDS DOUBLE-DIGIT SUCCESS
Josh Banks led all scorers on Wednesday with 19 points, going 8-for-13 from the field and 3-for-6 from long range. Banks is averaging 13.4 points a game and is second on the team with a .416 shooting percentage.
Nick McMullen followed on Wednesday with 18 points, going 8-for-9 from the field. McMullen averages 10.6 points a game and leads Asheville with a .623 field-goal percentage.
Drew Pember finished with 14 points, adding eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and a block to his stat line. Pember leads the team and conference, averaging 20.2 points a game. Pember is No. 12 in the nation in points (404) and No. 22 in points per game. He also leads the team with 7.6 rebounds per game and a .875 free throw percentage. Pember is No. 1 in the nation in free throws (154) and No. 2 in the nation in free throw attempts (176).
Pember leads the conference in blocks (39) and blocks per game (1.95).
Fletcher Abee finished with 12 points, going 4-for-7 and 2-for-3 from 3-point range. Abee averages 10.4 points per game and leads the team with a .426 3-point shooting percentage.
Abee and Banks are No. 2 and No. 3 in the conference in total 3-point field goals and three-pointers per game.
Caleb Burgess rounded out the Bulldogs in double-digits against Radford, finishing with 11 points and six assists. Burgess recorded his 100th assist of the season on Wednesday night and is No. 1 in the conference, No. 34 in the nation in assists with 101, and No. 1 in the conference in assists per game (4.8).
As a team, the Bulldogs are No. 1 in the conference in assist/turnover ratio (1.28), assists per game (16.1), and blocks per game (4.1). The Bulldogs are No. 5 in the nation in free throws made per game (19.0) and No. 7 in free throw attempts per game (25.6).
SCOUTING THE BUCCANEERS
Charleston Southern enters Saturday's contest following a 78-59 loss to Winthrop on Wednesday, Jan. 24.
RJ Johnson leads Charleston Southern with 16.7 points a game, 52 assists, a .898 free throw percentage, and a .435 3-point percentage. Taje' Kelly follows with 15.6 and leads the team with a .505 field goal percentage and 8.4 rebounds a game. A'lahn Sumler averages 12.4 points per game, and DJ Patrick averages 11.3.
As a team, the Buccaneers are No. 1 in the conference in fouls per game (16.9).
SERIES HISTORY
- Overall- Asheville leads 54-39
- Morrell vs. CSU- 9-3
- First Meeting (D1 Era) - L 73-63 Jan. 29, 1987
- Last Meeting- W 77-66 March 3, 2023
- Last UNC Asheville Win- March 3, 2023
- Last CSU Win- March 2, 2022
- Series Record at CSU- 16-19
- Series Record at UNC Asheville- 29-12
- Series Record at Neutral Sites- 1-2
- Series Streak- UNC Asheville W3
- Last 10 Matchups- 9-1
- Largest Margin of Victory- 92-54 Jan. 14, 2021
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
|
2023-24 Season |
AVL |
CSU |
|
Scoring Average |
81.5 |
70.5 |
|
Opp. Scoring Average |
74.3 |
75.8 |
|
Scoring Margin |
7.2 |
-5.3 |
|
FG Percentage |
.469 |
.434 |
|
3PT Percentage |
.370 |
.357 |
|
FT Percentage |
.740 |
.775 |
|
Rebounding Average |
35.7 |
33.2 |
|
Assists Per Game |
16.1 |
10.9 |
|
Steals Per Game |
6.0 |
3.8 |
|
Blocks Per Game |
4.1 |
3.0 |
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