UNC Asheville men's basketball defeated Gardner-Webb in overtime, with Drew Pember achieving his second triple-double of the season, leading the Bulldogs to an 83-72 victory in the Hercules Tires Big South Championship semifinals. Asheville advances to the championship game for the second consecutive year.

The Big Picture

This win marks Asheville's first back-to-back championship game appearances since 2011-12, showcasing the team's strong performance and determination in the tournament.

By the Numbers
  • Pember recorded a game-high 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists.
  • Trent Stephney played his 150th game, surpassing the record for most games played in program and Big South history.
State of Play
  • Asheville advances to the championship with a 22-11 record.
  • The Bulldogs will face Longwood, having a history of 1-1 this season and 0-2 in conference tournament play against them.
What's Next

Asheville will compete against Longwood for the Big South Conference Title on Sunday, March 10, in a game streamed on ESPN2.

Bottom Line

UNC Asheville's victory, powered by Pember's exceptional performance, sets the stage for an intense championship game against Longwood, highlighting the team's resilience and pursuit of success in the tournament.