Basketball: WCU at UNCA (Game #12)

Game Day: Sunday
Date: December 21, 2014
Location:  Kimmel Arena (3,200). Asheville, NC
Time: 2:00 p.m. ET
Radio: Catamount Sports Network
TV / Video:  WMYA-TV  &  Big South Network


On Sunday, the Western Carolina Catamounts (3-8) travel to Asheville to meet the UNC-A Bulldogs (4-6).

In an attempt to ensure a small crowd (see WCU's game with Wright State), as usual, the game is scheduled while both schools are on semester break,  In order to highlight said small crowd (again see WCU's game with Wright State carried by ESPN 3) the game will be carried locally by WMYA-TV (My40), as well as, the Big South Network.

Both teams are desperate for a win, as the Catamounts hobble into Asheville with a five game losing streak under their belt, while the home standing Bulldogs have lost 5 of their last 7, and bring their own 2 game winless streak into the game. The Bulldogs are 3-1 at home this season, but the three wins were against non-DI competition (Johnson & Wales, Limestone, & Tusculum), and their lone loss was to the Charlotte 49ers.

Asheville has posted a 39-9 overall record in the Kimmel Arena since the facility opened four seasons ago and were 11-2 there last season.  WCU is 0-1 in games played against UNCA in Kemmel.

Second year head coach Nick McDevitt returned 3 starters from last season's team what was 17-15 overall.  Asheville is scoring 75.9 points per game, hitting 42% from the field and 39% from three point range.  The dogs are averaging 74% shooting from the free throw line.and that is a big problem for Western with their tendency to send their opponents to the charity stripe on a regular basis.

Asheville has two players scoring double figures, Andrew Rowsey with 22.6 points per game and David Robertson with 12.3 points per game.  Ken Ubaru is just under the double figure threshold with 9.3 points per game. Rowsey leads the Big South in scoring and is seventh nationally as of Friday. Rowsey also leads the BSC in free throw percentage (.906) and three-pointers made per game (3.80).

The Bulldogs do have size, with four players 6'9" or taller -  center Chudler Pal - 6'9"; forward Giacomo Zill - 6'9" center John Cannon - 6'10;  & center Jaleel Roberts - 7'0" - however only the two centers Pal & Roberts see significant playing time.  Asheville will rotate their guards, with Littlejohn, Robertson, and Rowsey starting, and Thomas, Vannatta, & Neely getting significant playing time off the bench.

UNC-A probable starters
Senior - guard,  Corey Littlejohn - 6'2" 180 lbs - 4.6 ppg
Sophomore - guard,  David Robertson - 6'3" 195 lbs - 12.3 ppg
Sophomore - guard, Andrew Rowsey - 5'10" 175 lbs - 22.6 ppg
Freshman - forward,  Kem Ubaru - 6'6" 235 lbs - 9.3 ppg
Senior - center, Chudler Pal - 6'9" 250 lbs - 2.1 ppg


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