SPORTS
I
UNC Asheville men’s basketball team fc
A.V. Sherk
asnerk sunca.eau - iporrs eairor
Duke’s Blue Devils dragged
the UNC Asheville Bulldogs
through Hell in Durham last
Monday night.
Duke’s No. 4 ranked men’s
basketball team took an early
lead in the preseason National
Invitation Tournament game,
and UNCA could only watch as
they fell further behind.
“It motivates you. Being an
underdog and hearing people
say that they’re taking Duke by
30 points,” said Sam Hughes
sophomore and UNCA
forward.
The final score was Duke 91,
UNCA 55.
However, the Bulldogs refuse
to discouraged.
“We knew that everybody here
(at Duke) had ruled us out. What
we have in the locker room is
faith in each other,” said UNCA
guard and senior Jaron Lane.
“We always believe every time
we step out on the court, no
matter who our opponent is, we
have a chance to win. We played
a really good team in Duke.
Hats of to them there, they are a
really good basketball team.”
UNCA’s men’s basketball
team knew that the match would
be intense. Top-ranked Duke is
a competitive team and to play
them at Durham raises the bar
for how they want to play.
“I felt like on defense they
pressured us pretty well,”
Hughes said. “But a good strong
move or a cut backdoor would
give me an opening. I just kept
going for it and that’s what was
working for me.”
According to UNCA junior
Jaleel Roberts, the Bulldogs
knew a major challenge would
be staying mentally tough
Photo by Jorja Smith- Photography Editor
Top: Corey Littlejohn handles the ball and Duke’s defense Nov. 18 at
Cameron Indoor Stadium
Right; Jaleel Roberts slams it for the Bulldogs.
through Duke’s offensive runs.
“We could have done better
on defense. Myself, personally,
I don’t think I had a really good
defensive game,” Roberts said.
“With that being said, we could
have rotated a lot better and
forced them out of their comfort
zone. When we come back I
definitely want to do that a lot
better.”
Duke maintained a double
digit lead through the entire
second half, but it wasn’t until
the final six minutes that the
distance grew to over 30 points.
“A lot of the frustration came
from early fouls and foul-
trouble. With the new rules are
tough, buLwe have to learn
to guard better,” Lane said. “I
really think we could have won.
Like I said, they’re a really
great basketball team. We could
have executed a little bit better,
but we’re going to come out
tomorrow and win.”
Though the Bulldogs
were not satisfied with the
outcome, most players remain
optimistic and see room for
improvement.
“We did play hard but
sometimes that game ends
in the loss column. But it’s
alright. We’ll bounce back
tomorrow and I’m looking
forward to it,” said Corey
Littlejohn UNCA junior and
guard. “We definitely could
have hit more shots. Our
defense was there. We just
have to keep at it for the rest
of the year.”
The results of UNCA’s
game against Norfolk State
will determine their future
opponents in the NIT.