The Presbyterian Blue Hose secured a stunning 58-57 victory over the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, marking a significant upset in the college basketball scene. With a NET ranking of 276, Presbyterian was expected to struggle against the 219-ranked UNC Asheville, but Jaylen Peterson's 20 points and 8 rebounds led the charge for the underdogs. The Bulldogs, who were predicted to win by 9 points, were instead outscored 31-27 in the second half, ultimately falling short by a single point.
Jaylen Peterson's 20-Point Performance Marks 10th 20-Point Game of the Season
The game was closely contested from the start, with UNC Asheville taking a 30-27 lead into halftime. Kameron Taylor's 19 points and 5 assists paced the Bulldogs, but Presbyterian's balanced attack, which included 13 points from Carl Parrish and 12 points from Jonah Pierce, kept them within striking distance. The second half saw Presbyterian outscore UNC Asheville 31-27, with Peterson scoring 12 of his 20 points in the final 20 minutes. The Bulldogs had opportunities to take the lead, but ultimately fell short, shooting just 38.5% from the field and committing 12 turnovers. UNC Asheville's DJ Patrick added 14 points, while Justin Wright chipped in 10 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Blue Hose's strong team effort.
Jaylen Peterson was the standout performer for Presbyterian, posting 20 points and 8 rebounds on 8-15 shooting. Carl Parrish added 13 points and 5 assists, while Jonah Pierce contributed 12 points and 10 rebounds, recording a double-double. For UNC Asheville, Kameron Taylor led the way with 19 points and 5 assists, while DJ Patrick scored 14 points on 5-11 shooting. Justin Wright rounded out the Bulldogs' top performers with 10 points, but the team's 38.5% field goal percentage and 12 turnovers limited their overall production. Peterson's 20 points marked the 10th time this season he has scored 20 or more points, and his 8 rebounds were a team-high.
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Presbyterian's 58-57 victory was marked by several key statistical takeaways. The Blue Hose outrebounded UNC Asheville 35-32, including 12 offensive rebounds that led to 12 second-chance points. Presbyterian also committed just 9 turnovers, compared to 12 for the Bulldogs, and shot 42.9% from the field. UNC Asheville, on the other hand, struggled from beyond the arc, making just 5-20 three-point attempts (25%). The Bulldogs also shot just 38.5% from the field, including a 2-10 performance from Justin Wright. Presbyterian's 31 points in the second half marked a season-high for the team in a single half.
The CHD Scout prediction model was incorrect in this matchup, predicting a 77-68 UNC Asheville victory. Instead, Presbyterian pulled off the stunning 58-57 upset, defying expectations and handing the Bulldogs a tough loss. The model missed the strong team effort from Presbyterian, which saw four players score in double figures. The Blue Hose's ability to outrebound UNC Asheville and limit their turnovers also contributed to the upset, and the model failed to account for these factors. With a predicted margin of 9 points, the model was off by 10 points, highlighting the unpredictability of this matchup.
This upset victory has real consequences for both teams' resumes. For Presbyterian, the win improves their record to 13-14 and marks a Quadrant 3 victory, which can help boost their NET ranking. The Blue Hose's current NET ranking of 276 could see a significant jump following this win, potentially moving them into the top 250. For UNC Asheville, the loss drops their record to 12-14 and marks a Quadrant 4 loss, which can hurt their tournament chances. The Bulldogs' current NET ranking of 219 could take a hit, potentially moving them outside the top 225. With the loss, UNC Asheville's chances of making a deep postseason run take a hit, and they must regroup and refocus for their next matchup.
Presbyterian's next game is scheduled for February 17th against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, while UNC Asheville will face the Charleston Southern Buccaneers on February 18th. Both teams want to bounce back from this matchup, with Presbyterian seeking to build on their upset victory and UNC Asheville aiming to regroup and get back on track.