Bulldogs Collide as UNC Asheville Hosts Gardner-Webb in Big South Matchup

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — Two teams trending in opposite directions will meet Thursday when the UNC Asheville Bulldogs host the Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs in a Big South Conference men’s basketball game at Kimmel Arena.

UNC Asheville (9-12) enters on an uptick, having won three of its last five games. The home Bulldogs are coming off an 83-69 road victory at South Carolina Upstate on Jan. 21, fueled by a 27-point performance from standout guard Kameron Taylor.

Taylor has been the engine for UNC Asheville, scoring 20 or more points in seven consecutive games. He is averaging 24.1 points per game during that stretch, including a 27-point, five-rebound, five-assist effort in a win at Radford on Jan. 10.

Gardner-Webb (3-19) snapped a six-game losing streak with its last outing, a narrow 67-65 home win over South Carolina Upstate on Jan. 23. The victory marked just the second win for the Runnin’ Bulldogs since Dec. 12.

Jacob Hogarth led Gardner-Webb with 17 points in that win and has been a consistent scorer. He has reached double figures in five of his last seven games, including an 18-point performance against Radford on Jan. 14.

Despite its record, Gardner-Webb has shown offensive capability in conference play, scoring 77 points or more in three of its last five Big South contests. Containing Taylor, however, will be its foremost challenge. UNC Asheville is 6-3 at home this season, while Gardner-Webb is 0-10 in true road games.

The teams will complete a home-and-home series in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, on Feb. 26.

Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. EST Thursday at Kimmel Arena.