University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
St. Andrews
GAME PREVIEW: Men’s Basketball Begins Five-Game Home Slate on Saturday
12.06.2024 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – After 5,183 miles traveled, 10 states visited, 16 different hotels, and seven road games, the UNC Asheville men's basketball team will be making its long-awaited return to Kimmel Arena this Saturday (Dec. 7) for the team's 2024-25 home opener.
Asheville is one of four NCAA Division I teams that have yet to play a game in their home arena this season and the only team without a home game or exhibition contest. Coincidentally, Asheville's home opener opponent, St. Andrews, has already played a game inside Kimmel Arena, as Montreat College is hosting all of its home games in Kimmel Arena due to the destruction to their facilities caused by Helene, and hosted St. Andrews this past Wednesday.
GAME DETAILS
- UNC Asheville (3-4) vs. St. Andrews (1-6)
- Saturday, December 7, 2024
- 2 p.m.
- Asheville, N.C. || Kimmel Arena
- Watch: ESPN+ (Matt Stradley, play-by-play; Coty Jude, color analyst)
- Listen: Bulldog Radio Network (570 WWNC AM) | (Brian Hall, play-by-play; Mike Gore, color analyst)
- Live Stats
- Tickets
- Gameday Central
- Promotion: First 300 fans will receive a "Retro Rocky" Clear Bag.
- Game Sponsor: Park National Bank
60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
Saturday's game will celebrate 60 years of the men's basketball program competing as a four-year program. The 1964-65 team, which at the time was Asheville-Biltmore College, transitioned to a four-year program, which was referred to as senior collegiate athletics, from the junior college ranks. The program joined the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and transitioned to NCAA Division I in 1984-85. This is the 40th year that Asheville has competed as a Division I program.
St. Andrews is the only school the Bulldogs played in their inaugural four-year season that Asheville plays this season. December 7 is also significant for the Bulldogs, as they earned their first-ever win inside the Justice Center (formerly known as the Physical Education Building) on Dec. 7, 1963. The Bulldogs defeated Lees-McRae 68-66.
To celebrate the last 60 years of Bulldogs' basketball, the first 300 fans to Saturday's game will receive a "Retro Rocky" clear bag.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bulldogs ended its 7-game season-opening road stretch on Tuesday (Dec. 3) with a 74-52 loss at George Mason. Jordan Marsh and Toyaz Solomon combined for 29 of Asheville's 52 points. Marsh finished with 16 points, and Solomon had 13. Solomon has now turned in double-digit score outings every game this season.
Asheville's offense took advantage of 18 Patriot turnovers, as the Bulldogs outscored the Patriots 26-13 on turnovers and 7-6 on fastbreaks.
TOP ROAD PERFORMERS
Solomon leads the team through the first seven games with 15.4 points per game, 7.3 rebounds, eight blocks, and a .545 field goal percentage. Josh Banks and Marsh follow with 14.6 points per game, and Fletcher Abee is the final Bulldog in double-figures with 12.4 points per game. Marsh leads the team with 23 assists and a .917 free throw percentage. Abee leads the team with a .449 3-point shooting percentage, averaging the most minutes played with 33.4.
BIG SOUTH LEADERBOARD
Team – As a team, the Bulldogs lead the conference in 3-point field goals made, averaging 7.9 per game.
Individuals – In 3-point field goals per game, Banks and Abee are No. 1 and No. 2 with 3.1 and 3.0. Abee is also No. 2 in 3-point field goal percentage. Marsh is No. 1 in free throw percentage.
A LOOK AT ST. ANDREWS
The Knights are 1-6 and 0-5 in Appalachian Athletic Conference action. Mateu Escamilla is the team's leading scorer, averaging 19.9 points per game. Jaylin McDuffie follows with 15.0, and Ma'Nas Drummond has 11.3 points per game. Jordan Taylor leads the team in rebounds, averaging 7.8.
BULLDOGS vs. KNIGHTS THROUGH THE LAST 60 YEARS
This will be the 10th time the two teams have faced each other since 1964-65. The programs played twice each season from 1964-65 to 1966-1967 before not playing each other for 52 years.
DECEMBER SCHEDULE
Saturday marks the first of five home games for Asheville. The Bulldogs will host Bluefield on Dec. 11 at 4:30 p.m., Western Carolina on Dec. 14 at 2 p.m., North Florida on Dec. 17 at 6:30 p.m., and Virginia University of Lynchburg on Dec. 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Asheville travels to UNC Wilmington on Saturday, Dec. 21, before returning to Asheville to host Columbia International University on Monday, Dec. 30 at 6:30 p.m. This will conclude the Bulldogs' nonconference schedule. Big South Conference play will begin on Saturday, Jan. 4, as the Bulldogs host High Point at 2 p.m.
POSTGAME HANGOUT
The Athletic Department would like to invite all Bulldog Fans to come to Rye Knot, the official postgame hangout of the Bulldogs, on Saturday, following the men's home opener. Every Saturday following men's and women's games, Rye Knot will host a postgame gathering for Bulldog fans, coaches, and staff. There will be discounted food and drink specials for fans to enjoy.
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