UNC Asheville men’s and women’s basketball teams both hold first place in the Big South Conference as the spring semester gets under way. The men earned eight wins and only one loss from December 13 to January 9. High Point University matches their undefeated conference record at 5-0.

The women find themselves alone atop the conference standings with a record of 6-1, including Tuesday’s win against Longwood. The women’s overall record stands at 13-3, also best in the conference.

Men’s recap
Dwayne Sutton, a freshman at UNCA, led the way in scoring against the Campbell Camels as the team took the conference opener 80-60. Sutton earned Big South Player of the Week and Freshman of the Week honors during the break.
UNCA upped their record against the Southern conference to 2-1 with wins over East Tennessee State University and Furman University. The Bulldogs lost earlier in the season to Western Carolina University.
In the battle of the bulldog mascots, UNCA defeated perennial power Georgetown on their home court in Washington, D.C. Dylan Smith, Ahmad Thomas, Dwayne Sutton, Kevin Vannatta and Will Weeks all scored in double digits.
UNCA earned Big South Conference road wins against Longwood University, Liberty University and Charleston Southern University. Six away games and seven home games remain on the schedule beginning Thursday at Radford University, who sit at 2-3 in conference play.
Women’s recap
During the break, the women defeated Big South Conference opponents Coastal Carolina University, Winthrop University, Campbell University and Charleston Southern University. The Liberty Lady Flames handed the Bulldogs their only conference loss to this point.
Chatori Major won Big South Conference Women’s Player of the Week and received another nomination by delivering career high and team high point performances. UNCA ranks no. 1 in scoring offense for the Big South Conference.
The women hold a 4-1 season record against the Southern Conference with the only loss being the season opener at East Tennessee State University.
Sonora Dengokl, freshman guard, scored 14 points in a win against Coastal Carolina University and earned a Big South Freshman of the Week nomination.
The women eclipsed their 2014-2015 win total of nine games by defeating Winthrop at home in Kimmel Arena.

published 01/19/2016