University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
Winthrop
GAME PREVIEW: Bulldogs Host Winthrop for Dark Mode Game Saturday
01.16.2026 | Men's Basketball
GAME DETAILS
- Game 20
- UNC Asheville (8-11, 2-3) vs Winthrop (12-8, 4-1)
- Saturday, January 17, 2026
- 2 p.m.
- Asheville, N.C. || Kimmel Arena
- ESPN+
- Radio
- Live Stats
- Tickets
- Gameday Central
- Game Sponsor: Republic Services/Helpmate
GAME PROMOTION
The Bulldogs are going Dark Mode for Saturday's matchup. Fans are encouraged to wear their black Bulldog gear, and the first 500 fans through the doors will receive a free black replica jersey upon entering Kimmel Arena.
WILMA M. SHERRILL RECOGNITION
During Saturday's game, the UNC Asheville athletic department will honor the life and legacy of Wilma M. Sherrill. The on-court tribute will take place during the first media timeout and will recognize Sherrill's profound and lasting impact on UNC Asheville, its athletics programs, and the broader Western North Carolina community.
Wilma's family—including her husband, Jerry, her daughter, Jill, and other family members—will be present as the Bulldogs honor her remarkable legacy.
ASHEVILLE'S LAST TIME OUT
UNC Asheville came up just short on the road Wednesday night, falling 71–70 at Presbyterian. Toyaz Solomon reached a career milestone with the first basket of the game, knocking down a 3-pointer to become the program's newest member of the 1,000-point club.
The Bulldogs battled throughout the contest, outscoring Presbyterian in the second half and creating late opportunities. Asheville trailed by one with under 10 seconds remaining, but the Blue Hose held on in the final moments to secure the one-point victory.
Justin Wright led Asheville with 26 points, shooting 7-for-15 from the field and 10-for-11 at the free-throw line. Kameron Taylor followed with 22 points on 7-for-15 shooting and a 7-for-9 performance from the charity stripe. Solomon finished with 11 points and was a perfect 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
SOLOMON'S MILESTONE
Solomon became the 39th Bulldog in program history to reach 1,000 career points and the first Asheville player to do so since Drew Pember.
Solomon is on pace to become the 70th player in Big South history with 1,000 career points and 500 career rebounds, as well as the 20th player in conference history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 100 blocked shots. Following Wednesday's game, he is one block and 40 rebounds away from reaching the milestone. With 99 career blocks, Solomon currently ranks 10th in program history.
This season, Solomon is averaging 16.3 points per game, leads the team with 6.9 rebounds per game, and has totaled 17 blocks.
KT'S LEAGUE RECOGNITION
Sophomore Kameron Taylor earned Big South Conference Co-Player of the Week honors after leading UNC Asheville to a perfect 2-0 week. Taylor paced the Bulldogs in scoring in both games, averaging 25.5 points per contest.
Over the two games, Taylor shot 47.1 percent from the field, hit four three-pointers, went 15-for-20 at the free-throw line, and added 10 rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Nationally, Taylor ranked among the top scorers of the week and currently leads Asheville in scoring (17.2 ppg), assists, and free throws made.
In conference play, Taylor ranks second in the league at 23.0 points per game and is tied with Wright for the team lead overall at 17.5 points per game. Taylor is No. 1 in the league and No. 42 nationally in free throws made, with 94 this season.
GO DJ, THAT'S MY DJ
Senior DJ Patrick leads the Big South in minutes per game and three-point percentage. Patrick is averaging 34.02 minutes per game, ranking 70th nationally. He also tops the league with a 41.7 percent mark from beyond the arc, which ranks 42nd in the nation.
Patrick is averaging 12.2 points per game in conference play and leads the team with 16 made three-pointers.
EVERYTHING IS WRIGHT
Justin Wright has started and appeared in all 19 games this season, scoring in double figures in 17 contests. He is currently on a 15-game streak of double-digit scoring performances and is averaging 18.6 points per game in conference play.
MORRELL ON THE CLIMB
Head Coach Mike Morrell is currently 15th all-time in Big South history with 124 overall wins, and needs three victories to move into a tie for 14th.
A LOOK AT WINTHROP
Winthrop enters Saturday's contest following a 92–75 victory over High Point on Wednesday. The Eagles are tied for first in the Big South standings at 4-1 and ride a four-game winning streak. Winthrop's lone conference loss came in its league opener against Longwood on Dec. 31.
The Eagles have been dominant on the glass, ranking No. 1 in the league in offensive rebounds per game (14.7) and rebounding margin (+7.4). Nationally, Winthrop ranks eighth in offensive rebounds and 18th in rebounds per game, averaging 41.95.
Logan Duncomb leads the league and ranks 17th nationally in field goal percentage, shooting 63.4 percent from the floor. He also leads the conference in free throws made (94) and attempts (138) and averages 17.4 points per game. Duncomb scored 28 points in Wednesday's win over High Point, including 10 at the free-throw line.
Kareem Rozier has been a key contributor for the Eagles, leading the league and ranking seventh nationally in assist-to-turnover ratio (4.12). He has recorded 70 assists this season and dished out eight in the win over High Point.
STATISTICAL COMPARISON
| 2025-26 Season | Asheville | Winthrop |
| Scoring Offense | 74.6 | 86.2 |
| Scoring Defense | 73.5 | 74.6 |
| Scoring Margin | 1.1 | 11.6 |
| FG Percentage | .465 | .450 |
| FG Pct. Defense | .451 | .427 |
| 3PT Percentage | .367 | .344 |
| FT Percentage | .695 | .727 |
| Rebounds Per Game | 35.2 | 42.0 |
| Assists Per Game | 11.3 | 15.0 |
| Turnovers Per Game | 13.3 | 10.6 |
| Steals Per Game | 5.7 | 7.2 |
| Blocks Per Game | 2.7 | 3.4 |
SERIES HISTORY
Saturday marks the 92nd meeting between the two programs. Winthrop leads the all-time series 50–41. The Bulldogs are looking to snap a two-game skid against the Eagles, who defeated Asheville in the regular season finale and the Big South Tournament semifinals last season.
UNC Asheville owns a 23–16 home record against Winthrop and defeated the Eagles last season in Kimmel Arena, 93–84.
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