University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
13-6,4-1Big South
Winthrop
13-8,3-3Big South
Marsh Ties School Record and Joins Four Other Bulldogs in Double Figures as Asheville Defeats Winthrop 93-84
01.18.2025 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Jordan Marsh recorded a new career-high and tied the school record for best free-throw accuracy as the UNC Asheville men's basketball team defeated Winthrop 93-84 Saturday afternoon in Kimmel Arena.
HOME SWEET KIMMEL
In front of the largest home crowd this season, Asheville had five players reach double-figures and earned their fourth consecutive win over Winthrop, the longest win streak over the Eagles since Asheville won 10 straight games spanning from 1994-1998. Saturday's win also extended Asheville's home win record to 9-0 on the season.
30 PIECE
Marsh scored 32 points, going 9-20 from the field, 1-4 from 3-point range, and 13-13 from the free throw line. Marsh's perfect day at the charity stripe ties the school record for best free throw accuracy. Three other members in program history have achieved a 13-13 free throw game: Paul Allen (1982-83), Tom Haus (1983-84), and Bryan Smithson (3-1-08). Marsh added seven rebounds, a career-high eight assists, two steals, and a block to his stat line.
Marsh is the second player in the Big South this season to have multiple 30+ point games, as he joins Charleton Southern's RJ Johnson, who has two 30-point games. Marsh's 32 points is No. 2 in the Big South in most points scored in a game this season.
DOUBLE-DIGIT DOGS
Toyaz Solomon was the second-highest scorer for Asheville with 16 points and nearly grabbed a double-double as he recorded nine boards. Solomon went 8-14 from the field and added three assists, three blocks, and three steals to his stat line.
Fletcher Abee and Josh Banks scored 12 points each, with Abee going 4-5 from 3-point range and Banks going 3-8 from the field and 6-8 from the charity stripe.
Josh Banks reaches double figures! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/FdOPnptdYS
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) January 18, 2025
Kameron Taylor was the final Bulldog in double figures with 10 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The momentum was in Asheville's favor at the tip as the Bulldogs won the jump, and Greg Gantt Jr. capitalized with a layup to put the Bulldogs out front. A driving layup from Marsh extended Asheville's lead out to four, and a 10-0 run sparked by and ending with a 3-pointer from Abee put Asheville ahead 17-6 before the first media break.
Another three for Abee, and we take a 17-6 lead early here in Kimmel! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/pIdOq0LUaH
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) January 18, 2025
With 12:57 left in the opening frame and the Bulldogs ahead by nine, Winthrop went on a 16-0 run to take its first lead of the night, 28-21. Asheville responded with a 10-1 run to retake a one-point lead (32-31). Six of Asheville's points during the run came from free throws. The Eagles retook a 4-point lead, but a dunk from Solomon, followed by a pair of free throws by Marsh, tied the score at 36. Winthrop moved back out in front by three before Marsh sank an equalizing triple. Banks and Marsh each sank a free throw, and Winthrop's Kelton Talford sank a free throw for the Eagles with 22 seconds remaining to send Asheville into the second half ahead 41-40.
Out of the break, Winthrop took a 4-point lead before back-to-back layups following turnovers from Marsh evened the score at 49.
Abee deflects, Banks makes the grab and Marsh gets the basket! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/W0G1VtANb3
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) January 18, 2025
A putback and a Solomon dunk extended Asheville to a four-point lead before Winthrop tied the score at 59. The Eagles would go on to take a 3-point lead, but Abee would respond with his third triple of the game to even the score at 73. Abee's 3-pointer would spark a 15-1 run from Asheville as the Bulldogs took an 11-point lead over Winthrop with 3:46 left in the contest. The Bulldogs led by nine points or more for the remainder of the contest.
We take a 10-point lead with under three minutes remaining! #ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/J0brV9OcR7
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) January 18, 2025
UP NEXT
With Saturday's win, Asheville moves to 13-6 overall and 4-1 in conference play. The Bulldogs return to the court on Wednesday as they travel to Gardner-Webb for a 7 p.m. tipoff against the Runnin' Bulldogs.
