UNC Asheville Women’s Basketball lost to High Point 85-57 in the Big South Conference Championship. High Point dominated the first quarter, leading 24-9, but Asheville bounced back in the second, narrowing the gap to nine points at halftime. Despite Asheville’s efforts, including a 13-4 run, they struggled offensively in the third quarter, scoring only nine points. They finished the game shooting 34.0% from the field, with Sydney Burris leading Asheville with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Asheville out-rebounded High Point, 33-32, but was unable to overcome the deficit, resulting in their defeat.
Johnson City, Tenn. — (WLOS) The UNC Asheville Women’s Basketball team was defeated by top-seeded High Point in the Big South Conference Championship on Thursday (Mar. 6), ending with a score of 85-57.
High Point dominated the first quarter, establishing an early 24-9 lead within the opening 10 minutes.
In response, Asheville fought back during the second quarter, outscoring their opponents 21-15 and going into halftime trailing by just nine points. Although High Point briefly extended their lead to 17, Asheville gradually reduced the deficit with a diligent effort, launching a 13-4 run to bring the score closer. In the latter part of the quarter, Asheville narrowed the gap to as little as five points by ramping up their defensive pressure.
The third quarter saw Asheville manage only nine points, allowing High Point to pull away decisively. In the fourth quarter, Asheville scored 18 points while High Point added 20, bringing the game to its final outcome.
Asheville finished the game shooting 34.0 percent (18-54) from the field, 28.6 percent (4-14) from three-point range, and 70.8 percent (17-24) from the free-throw line. The Bulldogs capitalized on second-chance opportunities, outperforming High Point 16-10, and contributed 17 points off turnovers, 26 points in the paint, six points on fast breaks, and 28 points from the bench. Sydney Burris led the Bulldogs with 11 points and 10 rebounds, marking her third double-double of the season. Dakota McCaughan also added 11 points, while Abigail Wilson contributed 10. Trinity Barnes tied her career-high with eight points, Alana Swift chipped in seven points, and Skylar Bailey scored six points. Taylor Wilkins and LaImani Simmons each contributed two points. In rebounding, Asheville narrowly outperformed High Point 33-32, driven by Burris’s 10 rebounds. Deborah Orianegbena secured six rebounds, while McCaughan added four. Wilson, Bailey, and Swift each gathered three rebounds, with Barnes collecting one. Burris registered two assists, while McCaughan, Wilson, Bailey, and Barnes each had one assist. McCaughan recorded a team-high three steals, with Bailey following with two steals, and Wilkins, Wilson, Barnes, and Simmons each adding one. Orianegbena also recorded one block during the game for Asheville.