HPU Panthers defeats UNC Asheville Bulldogs, 84-79

Video credit: HPU Athletics 

With over 4,000 fans in attendance, High Point University and UNC Asheville went head to head in a game that made history. The arena was filled with energy from tip-off, making the environment and the entire Qubein Center electric. 

The two teams went back-and-forth the entire game, and came down to the wire, making this an incredibly close game. The HPU Panthers pulled through with the win, 84-79, thanks to the lights out shooting performance from the 6’4” junior guard Trae Benham, and the outstanding scoring clinic from the 6' 3” junior guard Duke Miles. 

In an arena that has a total capacity of 4500 seats, High Point University students rushed in to watch their Panthers go to battle against Big South Conference rival, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Black Out Night, and the conference matchup did not disappoint. 

The Panthers got off to an early start which eventually led to the Panthers being up 32-17 with 7:52 remaining in the first half before the Bulldogs came storming back, going on a 13-6 scoring run in the last 6:32 of the first half. Despite the Bulldogs comeback to close the first half, the Panthers led 40-37 going into break. 

After fans were amazed with a halftime performance from Red Panda and her acrobatic unicycle tricks, the Panthers picked up where they left off as they went on a 14-7 scoring run to start the second half. 

High Point University took a double-digit lead, 72-62, with 4:46 left in the second half. As soon as it looked like the Panthers were going to pull away with a double-digit win, the Bulldogs started to fight back as they eventually brought the game within one point, 76-75, with 2:14 remaining. 

As soon as Bulldog fans started to regain hope, Duke Miles, who has been leading the Panthers the entire season, shattered the Bulldogs hope as Duke stripped UNC Asheville and laid the ball up on the other end of the court with 32.7 seconds remaining to take a 80-75 lead.

Miles scored the last 10 points for the Panthers including two pairs of clutch free throws at the end to help push High Point University above the Bulldogs and seal the win, 84-79.

The Bulldogs drop to a record of 10-8 and 2-1 in Big South Conference play while High Point University records their sixth win in a row and 11 in their last 12 while advancing to a 14-4 and undefeated 3-0 record in Big South Conference play. 

Miles led the way for the Panthers with 28 points on 8/15 from the court overall, 2-3 from the 3-point line, and 10-10 from the free throw line to go along with three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 30 minutes played. Miles has now recorded at least 20 points in his last three contests and is averaging 19.6 points per game which is second best in the Big South Conference.

Junior 6’4” guard Abdoulaye Thiam contributed with 18 points on 7-16 shooting from the court to go along with three rebounds. 

Trae Benham added 15 points on 4-8 shooting from the 3-point line to go along with seven rebounds. The junior leads the conference with 48 made three-pointers and is second in the conference in 3-point field goal percentage at 41.7 percent.

The Bulldogs’ 6 '11 " senior forward Drew Pember recorded a season-high 36 points which included a made 3-pointer with 15 seconds left to bring the Bulldogs within three points. To go along with his 36 points, Pember also recorded eight rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. 

Pember leads the Big South Conference in points per game at 20.5 a game, and has recorded at least 29 points in three out of his last four games.

The energy was loud in The Qubein Center and High Point University was able to pull out the victory to extend their winning streak to six games. 

The Panthers will look to extend their winning streak to seven games as their next contest is Wednesday, Jan. 17 on the road at Presbyterian College at 7 p.m. ET. UNC Asheville on the other hand will be looking to bounce back in their next contest on Friday Jan. 12 against Longwood University at 2 p.m. ET.