GAME PREVIEW: UNC Asheville Takes on App State at Harrah’s Cherokee Center in Downtown Asheville

GAME DETAILS

MOUNTAINEERS vs BULLDOGS

Asheville is looking to snap a two-game losing skid and pick up its fourth consecutive win over the Mountaineers.
The Bulldogs won the previous contest of this two-game series on Dec. 21, 2023 in the Tarleton Complex in Hickory, N.C. Asheville defeated App 76-63, snapping App State's then 8-game winning streak.
Prior to the 2023 contest, the two programs had not squared off since 2001.
In Asheville's Division I era, App State leads the series 4-8. The two teams' first contest overall was during the 1967-68 season, and the overall record for Asheville against App is 9-14. Division I History

ASHEVILLE'S LAST TIME OUT

UNC Asheville lost a close home game 75–73 to Tennessee State at Kimmel Arena on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
The Bulldogs led 40–34 at halftime and shot a strong 58.1% from the field (compared with Tennessee State's 43.9%).
Asheville's offense was powered by three players in double figures: Kameron Taylor scored 23 points (8-of-13 FG, 2-of-2 3-pt, 3 blocks), Toyaz Solomon added 21 points and nine rebounds, and Justin Wright contributed 20 points.
Although Asheville held a lead as late as 53–42 in the second half, Tennessee State mounted an 11–0 run to tie the game. The contest remained tight down the stretch. With nine seconds left, Taylor's steal and layup gave the Bulldogs a 73–72 lead — but Tennessee State's Dante Harris was fouled with 1.1 seconds remaining and knocked down three free throws to clinch the win.
Statistically, Asheville finished 25-for-43 (58.1%) from the field, 5-for-9 from three (55.6%), and 18-for-28 from the line. However, 23 turnovers proved costly — Tennessee State scored 28 points off those turnovers. Other areas where the Tigers gained an edge: 40–30 in the paint, 15–6 in second-chance points, and 19–14 on fast breaks. Bench scoring also tilted heavily toward Tennessee State.

EARLY SEASON LOOKS AT ASHEVILLE

Three of Asheville's losses this season have been determined within the final 10 seconds of action and all have concluded with free throws from the other team.
The Bulldogs have increasingly settled into shooting from distance, as the Bulldogs started the season with just four made 3-pointers in back-to-back contests, for a .267 and a .308 shooting percentage, to shooting .500 and and .556 in Asheville's last two games. The Bulldogs lead the league in 3-point percentage (.380) and are top-50 in the country in this category (No. 46).
Justin Wright is leading the league, and is No. 33 in the country in field goal percentage, as he is shooting 62.7% from the field. Through six games, Wright is averaging 18.3 points per game, and leads the team with 18 assists and nine steals.
Kameron Taylor follows Wright as he is averaging 17.3 points per game and is also leading the team with 18 assists.
Toyaz Solomon is the final Bulldog averaging double-digit points, as he is averaging 15 while leading the Bulldogs with 6.7 rebounds per game and eight blocks.
As a team, Asheville is averaging 75.8 points per game while allowing 73.5.

A LOOK AT APP STATE

The Mountaineers are also on a two-game losing streak as App State fell to Elon on Nov. 24 and Mercer on Nov. 26.
So far this season, App State has handled the ball at one of the top rates in the country, as the Mountaineers are No. 18 in the nation in turnovers per game (9.4). App State's assist/turnover ratio is 1.33.
The Mountaineers have recorded double-digit assists in all of their contests this season and average 12.5 a game.
Kasen Jennings is App State's lone player averaging double-digit points, as he is leading the Mountaineers with 16 points per game. Alonzo Dodd is leading the team with 26 assists, and Andrin Njock and Luke Wilson are leading the Mountaineers in rebounds, averaging 5.4 and 5.3 boards a game.

STATISTICAL COMPARISON

A LOOK AT ASHEVILLE'S REMAINING NON-CONFERENCE SCHEDULE

After Sunday's contest, Asheville will face UNC Greensboro on Dec. 2 in the Harrah's Cherokee Center in Downtown Asheville. Tickets for Tuesday's game can be purchased here.
Asheville has only two remaining road contests, with the Bulldogs traveling to NC State on Dec. 6 and UAB on Dec. 21.
Asheville has four non-conference games in Kimmel Arena in December, starting with Miami (Ohio) on Dec. 10, St. Thomas on Dec. 13, Kentucky Christian on Dec. 16, and Morris College on Dec. 18.

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