University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville
15-16,8-8Big South
Longwood
16-16,8-8Big South
SURVIVE & ADVANCE: Bulldogs Defeat Longwood in Overtime
03.07.2026 | Men's Basketball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – If March isn't filled with dramatic moments on the basketball court, is it truly March? Spectators inside Freedom Hall Civic Center certainly got their money's worth Friday night, as the UNC Asheville Bulldogs and Longwood Lancers needed overtime to decide which team would advance in the 2026 Air Force Reserve Big South Basketball Championship.
With less than a minute remaining in the second half, Kameron Taylor drilled a game-tying three-pointer to even the score at 73 and force overtime.
KAM TAYLOR WITH THE EQUALIZER ⚡️#ALLinAVL #IWWD pic.twitter.com/DlmCQvAibK
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) March 7, 2026
In the extra period, Justin Wright took over, scoring all 12 of Asheville's points to help lift the Bulldogs to an 85–82 victory over the Lancers and secure a spot in Saturday's semifinal matchup. With the win, Asheville improves to 15–16 on the season while Longwood closes the year at 16–16.
TEAMMATE TWENTY
After scoring just five points in the first half, Justin Wright erupted for 11 in the second half and added 12 more in overtime to finish with a game-high 28 points. Wright did much of his damage at the free throw line, going 14-of-18, with 10 of his free throws coming in overtime, as he accounted for over half of Asheville's 27 made free throws on the night. He shot 6-of-11 from the field and knocked down two three-pointers, while adding five rebounds and a game-high four assists.
Kameron Taylor followed with 26 points, shooting 8-of-17 from the field, 3-of-6 from three-point range, and 7-of-12 from the free throw line. He also pulled down a team-high six rebounds and added two assists, two steals, and a block.
Toyaz Solomon rounded out the trio with 24 points, going 8-of-16 from the field, 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, and 4-of-6 from the free throw line. Solomon also contributed four rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks.
.@UNCAvlMBB's Toyaz Solomon right now:
— Big South Conference (@BigSouthSports) March 6, 2026
5-5 FG, 2-2 3PT, 13 points in 11 minutes.
Be like @toyazsolomon1.
It marks the fourth time this season the trio has each scored 20 or more points in the same game, and the 13th game this season in which Asheville has had two or more players score 20+ points, the most in the Big South.
IN THE BOX
Asheville went 24-for-52 from the field (46.2%) with 10 three-pointers and finished 27-for-40 from the free throw line. The last time Asheville attempted 40 free throws was against Johnson on Dec. 1, 2023.
The Lancers finished 27-for-67 from the field (40.3%) with four three-pointers, shooting 4-for-23 (17.4%) from distance and 24-of-36 (66.7%) from the free throw line.
Neither team extended its lead into double digits. Asheville led by as many as nine, while Longwood pushed its advantage to seven. The contest featured eight lead changes and seven ties.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Asheville led 40–36 at halftime, fueled by 16-point first halves from Solomon and Taylor. Longwood opened the second half on a 10–6 run to tie the score at 46. The Lancers eventually took the lead and held a six-point advantage with just over four minutes remaining.
Out of the final media timeout, Asheville responded with a 7–1 run to even the score at 73 and force overtime.
Longwood opened the extra period with a pull-up jumper, but Wright quickly responded with two successful trips to the free throw line and a basket in the paint to reclaim the lead for Asheville. Wright went on to score all 12 of Asheville's overtime points, with 10 coming from the free throw line. The Bulldogs would hold the advantage for the remainder of the contest.
5️⃣5️⃣ out here workin. 💪 pic.twitter.com/g6SiWumDAt
— Asheville Basketball (@UNCAvlMBB) March 7, 2026
LOOKING AHEAD
Asheville's quarterfinal victory marks the fourth consecutive year the Bulldogs have advanced to the semifinals of the Big South Tournament. The win over Longwood also marks Asheville's first postseason victory against the Lancers in program history, as Longwood entered the game with a 3–0 record against the Bulldogs in conference tournament play.
Friday's victory also completed a season sweep of Longwood, with Asheville winning all three meetings between the two teams this year.
Asheville advances to face No. 1 High Point at 12 p.m. tomorrow (March 7) in the semifinals of the Big South Championship.
It will mark the first Big South Tournament meeting between Asheville and High Point since 2016. The Bulldogs hold a 4–3 advantage over the Panthers in conference tournament matchups.
To watch tonight's postgame interview with head coach Mike Morrell and players, click here.
