UNC Asheville basketball upset by Longwood in Big South Tournament championship game
UNC Asheville basketball failed to overcome a sluggish first half against Longwood, leading to an 85-59 loss in the Big South Tournament championship game at Nido and Mariana Qubein Center in High Point on Sunday.
The No. 5-seeded Lancers (21-13) will advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history and the first time since the 2021-22 season.
Longwood outscored the No. 2 Bulldogs (22-12) in the first half 42-24.
The 85 points UNC Asheville conceded to the Lancers is the most it has allowed against a Big South opponent and the fifth-most this season. Longwood shot 60% (31-of-52) from the field and from 54% (7-of-13) from the 3-point line.
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The Bulldogs' 59 points is also the fewest amount scored this season. Star forward Drew Pember, the two-time Big South player of the year, was the only UNC Asheville player to finish in double figures with 14 points. Longwood also limited coach Mike Morrell's team to 38% from the field (21-of-55) and 22% (5-of-22) from 3-point range.
Five different Lancers finished in double figures with senior forward Michael Christmas recording a game-high 18 points.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: UNC Asheville basketball upset in Big South championship vs Longwood
