University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
11-13,5-5Big South
USC Upstate
10-14,2-7Big South
Strong Second Half Fuels Asheville to Ingles I-26 Rivalry Victory
02.04.2026 | Men's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – The UNC Asheville men's basketball team swept the regular-season series against Ingles I-26 rivals USC Upstate on Wednesday night (Feb. 4), earning a 76–67 victory in Kimmel Arena.
Asheville (11-13, 5-5) built a nine-point lead midway through the first half as DJ Patrick drained a three-pointer, followed by a free throw and a layup from Toyaz Solomon to make it 25–16. USC Upstate (10-14, 2-7) responded with a 13–0 run to take a 29–25 advantage with 4:30 remaining in the half and carried a 36–32 lead into the break. The Spartans capitalized on eight Bulldog turnovers in the first half, outscoring Asheville 9–2 off turnovers.
USC Upstate pushed its lead to eight early in the second half and held the advantage over the first 10 minutes before Asheville tied the game at 56 on a free throw by Kameron Taylor. Asheville's comeback surge started with Patrick knocking down a three, followed by a trip to the charity stripe from Solomon, and after a Spartan basket, Taylor answered with a three-pointer. Taylor went on to tie the game with an old-fashioned three-point play.
The Spartans briefly regained a two-point edge before Patrick buried another three to give Asheville a 59–58 lead.
3J strikes again! 🔥#ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/IDEAGOfdnX
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) February 5, 2026
The Bulldogs would not trail again and went on to earn its largest lead at 10 points following a jumper from Solomon with 2:08 remaining.
Taylor scored 14 of his 21 points in the second half, finishing 8-for-14 from the field with two three-pointers and a team-high five assists. Solomon posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, added three blocks, and shared the team assist lead with five.
Toyaz Solomon recorded his sixth double-double of the season, and with his 11 rebounds he is our @JaniKingClean Player of the Game! 🧼#ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/5DepkpV5Hi
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) February 5, 2026
Justin Wright added 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting, while Patrick finished with 12 points on four three-pointers. Myles Mayfield chipped in nine points and seven rebounds and Daniel Thomas added six points and four rebounds.
As a team, Asheville improved from 46.4% shooting in the first half to 60% in the second and finished the game at 52.8% overall. The Bulldogs connected on eight three-pointers and went 12-for-19 at the free throw line. USC Upstate shot 41% from the field, made six three-pointers, and went 11-for-17 from the stripe.
With the win, Asheville earned three points in the 2025–26 Ingles I-26 Rivalry and now leads the Spartans, 21–6, in the 2025-26 competition.
The Bulldogs return to action Thursday, Feb. 12, traveling to Longwood for an ESPNU Big South Wildcard matchup at 7 p.m.
