UNC Asheville Falls in Conference Opener After First-Half Collapse
UNC Asheville opened Big South play with an 87–69 loss to High Point at Kimmel Arena on Dec. 31, 2025, after surrendering a blistering first half. The early shooting barrage and a deep bench performance by High Point left Asheville facing immediate conference pressure as it fell to 6–9 overall and 0–1 in league play.
High Point seized control early and never relinquished it, racing to a 49–34 halftime lead by shooting 71.4 percent in the first half and draining seven three-pointers. The Panthers stretched the margin with continued accuracy in the second half and finished 29-for-47 from the field (61.7 percent) and 10-of-19 from three-point range (52.6 percent), while contributing 20 points from the bench that proved decisive.
UNC Asheville showed resilience at times after intermission, mounting a 15–5 run that narrowed the gap and energized the home crowd in Kimmel Arena. The Bulldogs, however, could not overcome the first-half deficit and struggled to match High Point’s efficiency. Asheville converted 25 of 56 field goal attempts (44.6 percent) and managed only 4-of-16 from beyond the arc, a discrepancy that undercut the late push.
Individually, Kameron Taylor led Asheville with 21 points, including 14 in the second half, and pulled down six rebounds. Justin Wright contributed 18 points and three assists, while DJ Patrick added 11 points despite encountering early foul trouble that limited his minutes and impact in the opening half. Those efforts kept Asheville competitive through long stretches, but the combination of a slow start and limited perimeter production left the team playing catch-up.
The loss carries immediate implications for local fans and the program. Falling to 0–1 in Big South play places a premium on conference road and home-court performances in the weeks ahead, amplifying the importance of defensive adjustments and better three-point shooting. High Point’s bench scoring also highlighted a depth advantage that Asheville must address if the Bulldogs are to convert close games into wins.
For the Buncombe County community, the game underscored both the team’s potential, seen in the second-half rally, and areas in need of improvement as the regular season shifts to conference competition. With overall record now 6–9, Asheville will need a stronger start in upcoming league matchups to regain momentum, maintain fan engagement at Kimmel Arena, and keep postseason aspirations alive.
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