ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Chris Stephenson scored 18 points to lead five UNC Asheville players in double figures as the top-seeded Bulldogs eased into the Big South Conference tournament semifinals by defeating High Point 86-61 Wednesday night.
UNC Asheville (22-9) closed the first half with a 13-2 run to lead 34-25, then pulled away in the second half, holding the No. 8-seeded Panthers (13-18) without a field goal for 7:45 in one stretch.
High Point’s Nick Barbour, who was averaging 20.8 points per game, made just 2 of 17 shots and had seven points. Barbour scored 33 the last time the teams met, an 86-79 UNC Asheville win on Jan. 14.
Jeremy Atkinson scored 16 points with eight rebounds for the Bulldogs, J.P. Primm had 15 points and six assists, Jaron Lane scored 13 and Big South Player of the Year Matt Dickey scored 11.
Shay Shine led High Point with 22 points.
