Categories: College University AthleticsCollege/University News

UNC Asheville Bulldogs Clinch Third Consecutive 20-Win Season

Fans celebrating UNC Asheville Bulldogs victory in basketball arena

News Summary

The UNC Asheville Bulldogs basketball team celebrated senior day with a thrilling 87-82 victory over the Longwood Lancers. This win marks the Bulldogs’ impressive milestone of achieving their third consecutive 20-win season, showcasing stellar performances from Josh Banks and Jordan Marsh. With a perfect home record of 13-0 and exceptional three-point shooting, the Bulldogs continue to leave their mark in the Big South conference. As they prepare for their upcoming matchup against Presbyterian, fans are eager to see if they can maintain their momentum and strong record.

UNC Asheville Bulldogs Knock it Out of the Park on Senior Day!

Asheville, NC – The UNC Asheville Bulldogs basketball team put on an unforgettable show on senior day by defeating the Longwood Lancers with a thrilling scoreline of 87-82. This victory was not just any ordinary win—the Bulldogs have now clinched their third consecutive 20-win season, an exceptional achievement in the program’s storied history!

Stars of the Game Shine Bright

In this spectacular outing, the dynamic duo of Josh Banks and Jordan Marsh combined their forces to score a staggering 59 points! Banks brought his A-game, shining the brightest with a season-high of 30 points against Longwood. Marsh, averaging an impressive 18.8 points per game, also showcased his scoring prowess, especially dominating in conference play with an impressive average of 23 points per game.

A Record to Remember

The significance of the game extends beyond just a win; it signifies a remarkable milestone for UNC Asheville. This season marks only the second time in the team’s history they have reached the coveted 20-win mark three years in a row, with the last streak occurring from 2015 to 2018. Over the past three seasons, the Bulldogs have racked up 69 wins, making it the most successful three-year span for the program!

Home Court Advantage

At Kimmel Arena, the Bulldogs are nothing short of unbeatable, boasting a perfect home record of 13-0. This places them among an elite group of just ten teams across the nation that have remained undefeated at home. Furthermore, they are one of only five teams that have managed 13 or more wins at home this season!

Three-Point Success

On the perimeter, the Bulldogs looked sharp, sinking 14 three-pointers against Longwood, which is the second-highest number for a game this season. UNC Asheville finished with a respectable 50% shooting percentage from beyond the arc! The trio of Banks, Marsh, and Fletcher Abee did the heavy lifting, with Abee notably ranking No. 6 in the nation for three-point shooting percentage at 44.7%.

Star Players’ Stats

This season, four remarkable Bulldog players are averaging double figures in scoring:

Jordan Marsh: 18.8 PPG, leading the league with 23.0 PPG in conference play.
Josh Banks: 15.7 PPG, highlighted by his 30 points against Longwood.
Toyaz Solomon: 15.1 PPG, third in the league for double-doubles with five, and a leader in blocks and blocks per game.
Fletcher Abee: 10.5 PPG, holding a remarkable spot with a national ranking for 3-point percentage.

Upcoming Showdown

The Bulldogs will keep their momentum going as they prepare for their next game against the Presbyterian Blue Hose on February 26, 2025, at 6:30 PM ET. Presbyterian recently capped off a solid victory against Radford, winning 80-73 on February 22. In their earlier matchup this season, UNC Asheville came out on top, triumphing over Presbyterian with a score of 96-87.

This upcoming clash promises to be an exciting game for UNC Asheville, which is looking to maintain its impressive 20-8 record and stand strong in the Big South conference!

So mark your calendars, sports fans, because the Bulldogs are hunting for victory, and you won’t want to miss it!