GWU Drops 58-56 Decision To UNC Asheville In Final Seconds
December 05, 2009 | Men's Basketball
BOILING SPRINGS - Chris Stephenson's two-handed put back off the
glass with 1.6 seconds left lifted UNC Asheville to a 58-56 win at
Gardner-Webb Friday night in the Big South opener for both
teams.
Stephenson scored all 13 of his points in the second half for UNC
Asheville (1-6, 1-0 Big South), but none were more important than
his last two - which delivered the visitors their first win of the
season.
Gardner-Webb (3-3, 0-1 Big South) dropped its third straight, but
rallied to tie the game on C.J. Hailey's driving layup with 10.3
seconds remaining - which sent the season-high crowd of 2,200 into
a frenzy. Dickey took the inbounds pass quickly and fired an
off-balance attempt from 17 feet that glanced off the rim.
Stephenson bounced in from the right block to tip the miss off the
glass and win the game.
Turnovers again plagued Gardner-Webb, as the Runnin' Bulldogs were
bogged down by 23 miscues on the evening. GWU shot just 23.1
percent in the second half (6-of-26) and made just 5-of-19
three-point shots in the game (26.3 percent). A large rebounding
edge (45-30) kept Gardner-Webb within striking distance, although
Asheville seemed in control late in the game leading 55-50 with
1:03 left.
Two consecutive turnovers by the visiting set of Bulldogs gave GWU
life, with Anton Silver connecting on four of five free throws to
trim that lead to 55-54 with 27.6 seconds left. Stephenson put
Asheville up 56-54 with a free throw with 20.0 seconds left, but
missed the back end of a two-shot situation to leave a crack for
the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Hailey worked free for his tying layup seconds later.
Silver came off the bench to score all of his team-high 14 points
in the second half for Gardner-Webb (eight free throws). Hailey
added 11 points, and was the only GWU starter to shoot over 50
percent for the game individually (5-for-9).
Sean Smith netted 18 points to pace UNC Asheville, which shot 38.5
percent for the game and overcame 19 turnovers.
Gardner-Webb will have an eight-day break before hitting the court
again at Atlantic 10 member Charlotte on Saturday, December 12
(3:30 pm tip).
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