The UNCA Bulldogs came into the afternoon game 4-4 after a tough loss in Orangeburg, SC at the hands of Murray Garvin’s staff and the SC State Bulldogs, 90-85. The UT Martin Skyhawks were 3-5 after a non-conference loss to Keno Davis’s Central Michigan Chippewas squad, 84-75. Both teams were seeking to get back into the win column.
First Half
Turnovers would prove to be costly for the Skyhawks as they gave up 8 in the first half. This would allow UNC-Asheville to develop a sizable lead heading into the half along with their sharp shooters Tajon Jones and DeVon Baker contributing beyond the arc. The half would end with UT Martin trailing 48-37.
Second Half
The Bulldogs would continue their game plan as they were able to convert possessions and gained more shot opportunities. While the Skyhawks had a better shooting percentage, the Bulldogs attempted 24 percent more shots. The key to success for Mike Morrel’s squad was ball movement and crashing the glass for rebounds.
The Skyhawk’s Redshirt Sophomore Parker Stewart had 21 points and eight boards. While Redshirt Senior Craig Randall II added 20 points and seven rebounds for UT Martin.
Redshirt Sophomore Tajion Jones scored 21 points and contributed nine rebounds for UNC-Asheville. Sophomore Coty Jude added 13 points and nine rebounds to the team totals. Redshit Sophomore LJ Thorpe had 12 points and 10 rebounds.
The achilles heel for the Skyhawks was the lights out shooting by the Sophomore Bulldog playmaker,.DeVon Baker who made 6-7 beyond the arc and shot 71 percent from the field, scoring a career-high 37 points making him the CSN player of the game. Overall it was an offensive showing for the Bulldogs as UNC-Asheville would go on to defeat UT Martin 91-72.
UNCA gets back into the win column (5-4) they will face Stetson at home, 12/17 at 6:00pm. While Coach Anthony Stewart & UT-Martin falls to 3-6 and will continue their non-conference schedule as they will travel to Houston, Texas to face the number 11, Baylor Bears, 12/18 at 10:00pm eastern.