University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
8-4,0-0Big South
Virginia University of Lynchburg
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Asheville Earns Fifth Consecutive Win as Bulldogs Slay Dragons 114-60
12.19.2024 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team recorded a dominant performance on Thursday night as the Bulldogs defeated Virginia University of Lynchburg 114-60 in Kimmel Arena.
Thursday's win marks Asheville's fifth consecutive victory and improves Asheville's record to 8-4. The Bulldogs' eight conference wins mark the fourth year in a row that Asheville has won eight nonconference games.
Jordan Marsh opened the contest with a jumper, and Virginia Lynchburg responded with a 3-pointer to earn their lone lead of the night. A successful trip to the free throw line from Toyaz Solomon put Asheville ahead by one. Solomon led Asheville with his third double-double of the season as he recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds, going 6-8 from the field and 5-6 from the charity stripe.
Asheville's next basket was a 3-pointer from Josh Banks, his first of six on the night. Banks finished with a game-high 21 points, with all of his baskets from the field coming from distance. At the first media timeout, Asheville led 20-8 following a putback dunk from Solomon.
Out of the break, Julian Clarke sank a triple, and Jemal Davis followed with a fast break layup from Kameron Taylor. The Dragons responded with a 9-0 run to bring Asheville's lead down to seven points, but the Bulldogs answered with the following seven points to retake a double-digit lead (32-18). Greg Gantt Jr. started Asheville's run with a putback layup, followed by a fastbreak layup off a turnover from Taylor, and concluded with a 3-pointer from Banks. Taylor also had a game-high of 21 points, going 8-13 from the field, 2-7 from 3-point range, and 3-4 from the free throw line. He had six rebounds and four assists to add to his stat line.
Asheville extended its lead into the 20s with a 3-pointer from Taylor with 2:08 to go in the first half (52-31). A 3-pointer from Banks gave Asheville a 60-34 lead at the break.
At the half, the Bulldogs were 20-41 from the field (48.8%), 8-24 from 3-point range (33.3%) and 12-14 from the charity stripe. Solomon had 15 points, Banks had 17, and Taylor had 14.
Out of the half, Asheville quickly extended their lead to 30 points, as Connor Dubsky connected for a 3-pointer to make the score 65-34 with 17:03 to go. Dubsky was the final Bulldog to finish in double figures, with 17 points, going 5-15 from 3-point range.
With 8:40 to go, Taylor extended Asheville's lead to 41 with a dunk, and Corey Jones recorded a successful trip to the free throw line (87-44). A little over three minutes later, Dubsky connected for his fourth 3-pointer to hit the century mark and give Asheville a 50-point lead (100-50).
All 12 Bulldogs that entered the game made their way into the scoring column. Clarke had eight points, five rebounds, and four assists; Sage Tolentino had eight points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two blocks; Gantt had six points, seven rebounds, and three assists; Javoy Thompson had five points, five boards and three assists, Jones had four points, Rasheed Baldwin had three points, Marsh had two points, three steals, three rebounds and two assists, and Davis had two points, three blocks and three boards.
As a team, Asheville shot 48.15% from the field (39-81), 31.25% from 3-point range (15-48), and went 21-19 from the charity stripe.
The Bulldogs scored 46 points in the paint, 17 points off turnovers, 30 second-chance points, 25 fast-break points, and 51 points off the bench.
Asheville will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 21, as the Bulldogs travel to UNC Wilmington for their final road contest of 2024. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
