Bulldogs Fall in Heartbreaker to Georgia Tech, 75-74

Team	1	2	F
UNC Asheville	32	42	74
Georgia Tech	25	50	75

ATLANTA, Ga. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team came within seconds of handing Georgia Tech its first loss of the season on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 14), but a late free throw lifted the Yellow Jackets past the Bulldogs, 75-74, inside McCamish Pavilion.

Asheville (2-3) led for more than 31 minutes of Saturday's contest, building a lead as large as 14 points in the second half before Georgia Tech (4-0) rallied in the closing minutes. Trailing by three with 13 seconds remaining, the Bulldogs refused to go away, as Connor Dubsky connected on a game-tying 3-pointer with three seconds left to even the score at 74. However, a foul with one second remaining sent Georgia Tech to the free throw line, where Victor Valdes connected on one of his two attempts to secure the one-point victory.

Myles Mayfield had a career-high shooting night as he led Asheville with 21 points, shooting an impressive 9-of-11 from the field and a perfect 2-of-2 from beyond the arc. Mayfield also added four rebounds and a block in 33 minutes of action.

Three other Bulldogs finished in double figures, with Khayri Dunn and Connor Dubsky each contributing 11 points, while Ja'Corey Lipkins followed with 10. Dubsky connected on three triples, including two in the final 18 seconds, while Dunn also knocked down three shots from beyond the arc.

Asheville finished the afternoon shooting 46.0 percent from the field (29-of-63) and 41.4 percent from three-point range (12-of-29). The Bulldogs recorded 20 assists on their 29 made field goals and outscored Georgia Tech 32-30 in the paint.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Georgia Tech opened Saturday's contest with a 4-0 advantage before Asheville began finding its rhythm offensively. Mayfield put the Bulldogs ahead for the first time with a second-chance basket and a free throw, giving Asheville a 6-4 lead with 16:46 remaining in the opening half.

The two teams traded baskets throughout the early minutes, with neither side able to establish much separation. Following a 13-13 tie, Asheville began to take control, using an 8-0 run highlighted by baskets from Jermaurhiyun Anderson, Mayfield and Lipkins to build a 21-13 advantage midway through the half.

The Bulldogs continued to apply pressure, extending their lead to double figures following a 3-pointer from Lipkins that made the score 26-15 with 7:14 remaining before halftime.

Asheville maintained its advantage through the remainder of the opening period, carrying a 32-25 lead into the locker room. The Bulldogs held Georgia Tech to just 28.6 percent shooting from the field and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc in the first half.

The Bulldogs came out of halftime with the same energy, as baskets from Tylon Chatman, Mayfield and Lipkins helped Asheville extend its advantage to 38-27 in the opening minutes of the second half.

Georgia Tech responded with seven unanswered points to trim the deficit to four, but Asheville answered with a 3-pointer from Mayfield to halt the Yellow Jackets' momentum.

The Bulldogs continued to find success offensively, with Dubsky connecting from beyond the arc before Mayfield and Daniel Thomas added baskets to help Asheville maintain its lead.

With 10 minutes remaining, Dunn knocked down a triple to give Asheville its largest advantage of the afternoon at 56-42.

However, the Yellow Jackets began to chip away at the deficit, using a 12-3 stretch to pull within five at 59-54 with just over six minutes remaining.

Mayfield helped keep the Bulldogs in front, scoring six of Asheville's next eight points, including a dunk with 4:25 remaining that gave the Bulldogs a 63-58 advantage.

Georgia Tech continued its comeback effort, scoring seven unanswered points to take a 65-63 lead with 3:14 remaining, marking its first advantage since the opening half.

Dunn answered on Asheville's ensuing possession, connecting on a 3-pointer with 2:42 remaining to put the Bulldogs back in front, 66-65.

The Yellow Jackets tied the contest at 66 following a free throw before connecting on a 3-pointer with 1:10 remaining to give Georgia Tech a 69-66 advantage.

With time winding down, Asheville continued to battle. Following a Georgia Tech free throw, Dubsky knocked down a 3-pointer with 18 seconds remaining to pull the Bulldogs within one, 70-69.

After the Yellow Jackets extended their lead to three from the charity stripe, Chatman connected on a pair of free throws to bring Asheville back within one at 72-71 with 15 seconds remaining.

Georgia Tech added two more points from the free throw line to extend its lead to 74-71, but the Bulldogs had one final answer.

With three seconds remaining, Dubsky connected on his second 3-pointer in the final 18 seconds, tying the game at 74 and putting Asheville on the verge of forcing overtime.

However, a foul with one second remaining sent Georgia Tech to the line, where he made the first of two free throws to give Georgia Tech the 75-74 victory.

NOTABLES

Mayfield led Asheville with 21 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including a perfect 2-of-2 from three-point range.
Four Bulldogs finished in double figures, with Mayfield (21), Dunn (11), Dubsky (11) and Lipkins (10) leading the offensive effort.
Asheville shot 41.4 percent from beyond the arc, connecting on 12 triples.
The Bulldogs recorded 20 assists on 29 made baskets, with Anderson leading the team with a career-high five assists.
Daniel Thomas led Asheville on the glass with eight rebounds, while Anderson added a career-high six boards.
Asheville led for 31:05 of Saturday's contest and held a 14-point advantage with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
The Bulldogs outscored Georgia Tech 18-9 in second-chance points and 32-30 in the paint.

UP NEXT

UNC Asheville returns home to Kimmel Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 18, to face Tennessee Tech. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

The first 150 fans in attendance who purchase a beverage (alcoholic or nonalcoholic) will receive a commemorative 40th anniversary beer glass. At halftime of Wednesday's contest, comedian and actress Hilliary Begley will perform a comedy show. To purchase tickets to Wednesday's game, click here.