BUIES CREEK, N.C.-Kendall Shepard banked in the 24-foot
game-winning shot from the left wing to lift UNC Asheville over
Campbell 78-75 in nonconference action Saturday afternoon inside
the John W. Pope Jr. Convocation Center.
The Bulldogs move to 2-1 on the season, while the Lady Camels fall
to 0-4 with their second straight heartbreaker this week. Campbell
was edged 85-81 in overtime at Wofford on Wednesday.
Shepard, a senior guard, posted 19 points and five assists in the
win. Lindsey Thompson led all scorers with 24 points, going 5-of-15
from the floor with four threes, adding a 10-for-10 clip from the
charity stripe. The junior guard also recorded seven rebounds.
Sophomore forward Kelli Riles recorded the double-double with 13
points and 12 rebounds, while senior guard Grace Blaylock collected
11 points and nine rebounds.
The Bulldogs converted 17-of-19 free throw attempts in the game,
including 10-of-10 in the second half. UNCA also gathered 20
assists on 26 field goals.
Leading Campbell was sophomore guard Tonisha
Baker, who filled up the stat sheet with career-highs of 20
points, nine rebounds and six assists. Junior guard Kate
Cloxton poured in 11 points, hitting 3-of-5 three point
attempts, and adding a season-high seven assists. Junior forward Katelyn
Bass also posted 10 points and pulled down a career-high nine
rebounds. Bass' 10 points also tied a career-best, set earlier this
week at Wofford.
Freshman guard Jessica
Moore chipped in nine points off the bench, hitting three of
four shots from long range. Senior forward Lauren
Yesh also tallied nine, adding five rebounds, two assists and
two steals. Junior guard Amanda
O'Neill collected six points, four assists and a pair of
blocks.
The Lady Camels posted a season-high 24 assists on 31 field goals.
Campbell posted 10 made three pointers for the first time since
November 16, 2007 against Morgan State. CU owned a 43-2 advantage
in bench points and posted 22 points off 20 Asheville
turnovers.
Trailing 42-37 at the break, the Lady Camels took the lead on a Courtney
Cannon jumper at the 18:14 mark. The Bulldogs answered with a
19-11 streak over the next nine minutes, going up seven with 9:06
to play.
Campbell struck right back, however, as four Lady Camels
contributed to a 16-3 run to give CU a six point advantage with
4:46 remaining. Still up four, 75-71, with 2:16 to play, Barksdale
hit a shot and Thompson nailed both of her free throw attempts to
force the 75-all tie.
With 1.7 seconds remaining in the game, Shepard took the inbound
pass and hit the game-winner.
Campbell will head back on the road for its next contest, taking on
Coastal Carolina next Tuesday, Nov. 23 at 5 p.m.
