University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
0-1,0-0Big South
Wichita State
1-0,0-0American
Bulldogs Fall in Season Opener at Wichita State
11.04.2025 | Men's Basketball
WICHITA, Kan. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team opened its 2025-26 campaign on the road Tuesday night, battling Wichita State tough throughout the first half before ultimately falling, 75-58, at Charles Koch Arena.
It was a back-and-forth affair with six lead changes and eight ties in the first 20 minutes of action. With 2:15 to go in the opening frame, Daniel Thomas put Asheville ahead by one with a putback shot, but the Shockers closed the half on a 6-2 run to lead 34-30 at the break.
DJ Patrick opened Asheville's scoring in the second half with a triple, but the Shockers answered by extending their lead by at least two possessions over the next 10 minutes of action. With 8:55 to go, Asheville attempted a late-game comeback with a jumper outside the paint from Toyaz Solomon and a 3-pointer from Kameron Taylor to bring Wichita's lead down to three (54-51). This was as close as the Shockers would allow the Bulldogs, as Wichita held the lead for the remainder of the game.
Senior forward Solomon paced the Bulldogs with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Patrick, who saw all 40 minutes of action, added 13 points, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. Taylor nearly reached double figures with nine points to go along with a pair of blocks, steals, and rebounds. Justin Wright contributed eight points, three rebounds, and two steals, and Myles Mayfield had seven points and four rebounds.
Asheville shot 23-56 (41.4%) from the field, 4-15 (26.7%) from 3-point range, and went 8-13 (61.5%) from the free throw line. Wichita State shot 45.6% from the field, 25% from 3-point range, and went 9-15 (60%) from the free throw line.
The Bulldogs are back on the road Saturday (Nov. 8) as Asheville travels to Georgia Southern for a 3 p.m. tipoff.
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