Winthrop’s Harrison Scores 19 Points in Tough Loss At Asheville
Game Result: 82-78, Favoring Asheville
In an intense basketball game held in Asheville, the Winthrop Eagles suffered a loss against UNC Asheville. Despite a noteworthy performance from Kasen Harrison, the Eagles fell short, ending the match in a 82-78 loss on Saturday afternoon.
An Overview of the Match
Both teams struggled to find the net during the first two minutes of the match. Finally, Micheal Anumba from Winthrop managed to score. However, Asheville fired back with four consecutive three-pointers, leading 12-2 at the 15:45 mark.
Winthrop started to close the gap when Sin’Cere McMahon ended Asheville’s run with a three-pointer, reducing the deficit to six. McMahon after hitting another three-pointer made it a one-possession game with Asheville leading 12-9.
A string of points from Drew Pember extended Asheville’s lead, but a series of successful plays by Kelton Talford and Kasen Harrison kept the Eagles in the game, bringing the scoreline to 39-29 for Asheville, with less than five minutes in the first half.
Second Half Developments
Winthrop, reinforcing their intent early in the second half, rallied to take the lead at 53-46 just 13:50 into the second half. This was achieved through points from Nick Johnson, successful layups by Harrison, and a valuable three-pointer from K.J. Doucet.
Despite leading by nine at one point, the Eagles were unable to hold onto their advantage. Crucial points from Pember and Caleb Burgess put Asheville back in the driving seat. Eventually, a missed opportunity to score a three-pointer from Doucet opened up Asheville to take a five-point lead which proved fatal for the Eagles.
Player Highlights
Despite the disheartening loss, several Eagles put forth strong performances. Harrison paced the Eagles with 19 points, Talford contributed with 18 points and pulled in 6 rebounds while Nick Johnson managed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block. Anumba made a milestone by reaching 500 rebounds in his career.
Looking Forward
Winthrop Eagles are set to return home on Wednesday, February 7, as they prepare to host Charleston Southern. Despite the setback at Asheville, the Eagles’ determination and resilience against an opponent in top form remain clear indicators of their potential.
