ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Justin Wright scored a game-high 29 points and UNC Asheville held off a second-half surge from Lipscomb to secure its first victory of the season, 69-64, in a non-conference men’s basketball game Tuesday night at Kimmel Arena.

In a contest defined by offensive struggles and defensive pressure, the Bulldogs improved to 1-2, while the Bisons remained winless at 0-3.

Wright, a 6-foot-2 guard from Greenville, North Carolina, was the offensive catalyst for UNC Asheville, shooting efficiently from the floor and delivering critical baskets whenever Lipscomb threatened to take control. He was complemented by Kameron Taylor, who added 16 points and five assists, providing a steadying presence throughout the game.

The first half was a low-scoring affair, with both teams struggling to find an offensive rhythm. UNC Asheville took a 29-25 lead into the break, largely on the strength of its superior shooting. The Bulldogs connected on 50% of their field goal attempts in the opening period, while Lipscomb managed to make only 23 of 63 shots for the game, a frigid 36.5%.

Lipscomb emerged from halftime with renewed energy, outscoring UNC Asheville 39-40 in the second half. The Bisons were led by Grant Asman, a 6-foot-10 forward from Kimberly, Wisconsin, who poured in 22 points. His inside presence and ability to step out and hit three-pointers, making three from beyond the arc, kept the Bulldogs’ defense off balance.

The Bisons chipped away at the deficit, leveraging their aggressive defense. They forced 14 UNC Asheville turnovers, converting them into 19 points, and dominated the offensive glass with 14 rebounds leading to second-chance opportunities. Lipscomb also tallied eight steals, twice as many as the Bulldogs.

Despite the pressure, UNC Asheville consistently answered every Lipscomb run. Every time the Bisons closed the gap, Wright or Taylor would respond with a key basket to maintain a slim cushion. The Bulldogs’ offense, while not prolific, was more efficient, finishing the game shooting 50% from the field and posting an offensive rating of 102.4 compared to Lipscomb’s 96.8.

Lipscomb guard Mateo Esmeraldo from Monroe, Connecticut, facilitated the offense with six assists and added 12 points, while Titas Sargiunas of Kaunas, Lithuania, contributed eight points off the bench.

The game was ultimately decided in the final minutes at the free-throw line. UNC Asheville, which struggled from the stripe for much of the night, made crucial free throws down the stretch to seal the victory. Kameron Taylor iced the game by making two free throws with two seconds remaining to establish the final five-point margin.

The Bulldogs won despite being out-assisted and out-rebounded on the offensive end, relying on timely scoring and key stops. Lipscomb’s season-opening road trip continues to be challenging, as they have yet to find a winning formula despite competitive efforts.

An announced crowd of 617 at Kimmel Arena saw the Bulldogs snap a two-game skid. UNC Asheville will look to build on the momentum when it hosts Bryan on Thursday. Lipscomb, still searching for its first win, continues its road swing at Belmont on Nov. 19.