The UNC Asheville Bulldogs secured a 79-74 win over the Longwood Lancers, led by Toyaz Solomon's impressive 24 points and 13 rebounds. This performance marked a significant victory for UNC Asheville, who improved their record to 12-13. Longwood, on the other hand, fell to 13-14. The Bulldogs' 42 points in the second half was the deciding factor, outscoring the Lancers by 4 points in the final 20 minutes.
Toyaz Solomon's 24 Points and 13 Rebounds Marked His 5th Double-Double of the Season
The game was closely contested, with UNC Asheville taking a slim 37-36 lead into halftime. The Bulldogs' Justin Wright and Kameron Taylor combined for 31 points in the first half, while Longwood's Alphonzo Billups III led the Lancers with 12 points. In the second half, UNC Asheville extended their lead to as many as 9 points, but Longwood fought back to within 3 points with 2:30 remaining. However, the Bulldogs' Toyaz Solomon and Justin Wright scored 5 of the team's final 7 points to seal the 79-74 win. Longwood's Elijah Tucker finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Bulldogs' balanced attack.
Toyaz Solomon was the standout performer for UNC Asheville, recording 24 points and 13 rebounds. Justin Wright added 24 points and 5 assists, while Kameron Taylor chipped in with 22 points. For Longwood, Alphonzo Billups III led the way with 20 points, followed by Elijah Tucker's 15 points and 11 rebounds. Johan Nziemi also contributed 11 points and 7 rebounds for the Lancers. The Bulldogs' trio of Solomon, Wright, and Taylor combined for 70 of the team's 79 points, showcasing their offensive firepower.
CHD Scout Report Card
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UNC Asheville outrebounded Longwood 38-34, with Toyaz Solomon grabbing 13 boards. The Bulldogs also shot 47.5% from the field, compared to Longwood's 44.1%. Longwood committed 12 turnovers, which led to 15 UNC Asheville points. The Lancers did manage to outscore the Bulldogs in the paint, 32-26, but it wasn't enough to overcome their struggles from beyond the arc. UNC Asheville made 7 three-pointers, while Longwood connected on just 4.
The CHD Scout predicted a Longwood win by 3.7 points, but UNC Asheville proved them wrong with a 5-point victory. The predicted score was 76-72 in favor of Longwood, but the actual outcome was 79-74 in favor of UNC Asheville. This mistake highlights the challenges of predicting college basketball games, where upsets and surprises can occur at any time. The CHD Scout's error was largely due to underestimating the performance of Toyaz Solomon and the UNC Asheville offense.
This win marked a Quadrant 4 victory for UNC Asheville, who improved their NET ranking to 224. Longwood, on the other hand, suffered a Quadrant 4 loss, which could negatively impact their tournament resume. The Lancers' NET ranking currently stands at 268, making it an uphill battle to secure a postseason berth. UNC Asheville's win also gives them a much-needed boost in their quest for a tournament spot, as they look to build momentum in the final stretch of the season. With 12 wins, the Bulldogs are still in contention for a conference tournament title and a potential automatic bid.
UNC Asheville's next game is scheduled for February 15th against the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, while Longwood will face the Campbell Fighting Camels on February 17th. Both teams want to bounce back from this result and make a push for the postseason. With the conference tournament just around the corner, every game takes on added importance, and the Bulldogs and Lancers must be at their best to achieve their goals.