Despite Nadiria Evans and Jessica Wall combining for 41 points, the UNC Asheville women’s basketball team saw its six-game win streak come to an end on Tuesday night, as the Bulldogs dropped a 70-59 road decision to Charleston Southern inside the Buc Dome.
BULLDOG BITES
Game Highlights
The first quarter was tough for the UNC Asheville offense, as it was only able to tally five points in the opening 10 minutes. Charleston Southern capitalized by taking a 12-point advantage into the second quarter, 17-5.
The Bulldogs started to find their groove, despite trailing to the Bucs, 41-26, at the half. Asheville shot a strong 60 percent from the field in the second stanza. Nadiria Evans was impressive in the 10-minute session with 13 points, as seven points came from the free throw line. Jessica Wall added six points on two made three-pointers.
At the halftime break, Evans and Wall combined for 20 of Asheville’s 26 points. As a team, the Bulldogs shot 36.4 percent from the field and connected with 10 points in the paint in the opening 20 minutes.
UNC Asheville outscored CSU by four points, 16-12, in the third quarter to make it a 53-42 deficit heading into the fourth quarter. Helping trim the gap in the third stanza was Wall, as the senior scored with eight points on three field goals. Evans, Ali Trani and Tiffany Wilson combined for seven points in the 10-minute session.
The Bulldogs didn’t surrender in the fourth quarter, as they trimmed the deficit to only six points with four minutes left in regulation. The two teams traded baskets over the next two minutes, but CSU connected on several free throws late to seal the 11-point win over the Bulldogs, 70-59.
Evans had a career night, as the sophomore guard totaled a career-high 21 points on 6-for-10 shooting. The six made field goals matched a single-game best, while her nine made free throws set a new career-best mark.
Wall contributed 20 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 6-for-10 shooting behind the three-point arc. In fact, her six made three-pointers brings her career total to 207, which matches a school record that Chatori Major set several seasons ago.
Between Evans and Wall, they combined for 41 points, 13 field goals, six 3-pointers, nine free throws and six rebounds.
Jimeshia Lawson and Trani also added six points each. Evonna McGill was the Bulldogs’ leading rebounder with five.
UNC Asheville falls to 11-10 on the year and 6-4 in the Big South, and Charleston Southern advances to 10-11 overall and 6-4 in league games.
What’s Next?
The Bulldogs will end their two-game road swing on Saturday, Feb. 9, as they travel to Buies Creek, N.C. to square off with Campbell. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.,
