Upstate Continues Road Trip Wednesday Evening at UNC Asheville
11/28/2017 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Spartanburg, S.C. – The USC Upstate men's basketball team is back on the road Wednesday evening to continue its eight-game road trip as it travels to Asheville, N.C. to face the UNC Asheville Bulldogs in a non-conference game at 7 p.m. from Kimmel Arena.
Upstate is playing its fourth straight road game after competing last weekend at the Creek Classic in Buies Creek, N.C. The Spartans earned a neutral site win on Nov. 25 with an 88-78 victory against Abilene Christian. Deion Holmes was named to the Creek Classic All-Tournament Team after leading Upstate with 17.3 points per game.
Malik Moore compiled his first career double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds in the Abilene Christian win. Isaiah Anderson and Avery Diggs both set new career-highs in scoring at the Creek Classic as Anderson had 12 points against Campbell and Diggs contributed eight versus Bowling Green. Making his first collegiate start, Diggs also grabbed a career-high eight rebounds against Bowling Green.
Upstate excelled at the free throw line during the three-day tournament shooting 90.6 percent (29-of-32) highlighted by a 17-of-18 (94.4 percent) performance versus Abilene Christian. It marked the first time since going 12-for-12 at the charity stripe at Kennesaw State on Feb. 7, 2012 that the Spartans had posted a 90 percent or better clip at the free throw line.
Moore is one of five players averaging in double-figures this season with a team-leading 15.5 points per game. Holmes contributes 13.6 points per game while Mike Cunningham adds 12.6, Ramel Thompkins 12.4 and Jure Span 11.0. Thompkins leads the team defensively averaging 7.0 rebounds per contest.
UNC Asheville enters the midweek contest with a 4-2 overall record with wins this season over Lees-McRae, Austin Peay, Monmouth and Wofford. The Bulldogs have won each of their last three games heading into the contest against Upstate. UNC Asheville is led offensively by MaCio Teague and Kevin Vannatta with 14.7 points per game while Ahmad Thomas is averaging a team-best 5.8 rebounds per contest. The Bulldogs are under the direction of fifth-year head coach Nick McDevitt.
The Spartans are facing UNC Asheville for the 16th time in program history with the Bulldogs leading the all-time series 9-6.
Fans can follow the action on www.upstatespartans.com via live stats. The game is being streamed for free on the Big South Network. Updates will also be posted on the Upstate men's basketball Twitter page (@UpstateMB).
The Spartans make the short trip to Boiling Springs, N.C. on Saturday, Dec. 2 to face another Big South opponent, Gardner-Webb, at 3 p.m.
Follow Upstate men's basketball on Facebook (UpstateAthletics), Twitter (@UpstateMB), Instagram (@upstatespartans), YouTube (USCUpstateAthletics) and text/e-mail alerts (www.upstatespartans.com/list-signup).
