UNC Asheville wins Big South for 5th NCAA berth

CHARLOTTE, N.C.– Drew Pember had 29 points, Tajion Jones scored 16 in the last 7:35 and No. 1 seed UNC Asheville stormed back to beat seventh-seeded Campbell 77-73 on Sunday, winning the Big South conference competition champion and advancing to the NCAA competition for the fifth time.Ricky Clemons struck a jumper to give Campbell a 66-52 lead, and after that Jones took over. The senior guard scored 10 straight points for the Bulldogs(27-7) after Pember made two free throws to cut their deficit to 68-64 with 3:41 to go. Clemons and Jones traded 3-pointers and Pember followed with a three-point play to get UNC Asheville within 71-70. Editor’s Picks Clemons struck a jumper with 1:44 to play but the Combating Camels would not score once again. Pember, who has actually attempted and made more free throws than anyone else in the country, sank a set. Clemons was fouled however missed out on both free throws and Jones buried a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs on the top 75-73 with 55 seconds left. The last time UNC Asheville had actually had the lead the score was 13-11. Pember, the Big South’s Player of the Year, struck 9 of 19 shots however simply 1 of 6 from 3-point variety.

He made 10 of 12 foul shots. Jones sank 9 of 14 shots, consisting of 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. They each got 8 rebounds. Fletcher Abee hit three from range and scored 11. Jay Buddy scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Combating Camels. The senior made 11 of 18 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. He added 4 helps and blocked two shots. Big South Freshman of the Year Anthony Dell’Orso scored 12 points– just 2 after halftime– and snagged seven rebounds. Clemons, a previous walk-on who is now a senior, struck 2 3-pointers and scored 17 before fouling out.Pal had 16 points and eight rebounds by halftime to guide Campbell to a 38-35 lead at intermission.The Battling Camels (16-18)made their only journey to the Huge Dance in 1992, losing to eventual champion Duke in the preliminary 82-56. Campbell is the 6th No. 7 seed to advance to the Big South title game. All six lost to the leading seed.UNC Asheville sports a 2-4 record in its four previous NCAA tourney appearances.