Jaxon Prunty anchored the Western Carolina offense with 19 points as the Catamounts (1-1) defeated UNC Asheville (1-2) 83-75 on Saturday in Asheville. The decisive factor in the victory was Western Carolina’s exceptional performance from the charity stripe, where Prunty converted 10 of 11 free throws. This efficiency provided a crucial cushion for the Catamounts, who managed to outscore the Bulldogs despite shooting just 3 of 12 from the field overall.
Catamounts dominate the free-throw line to secure season-opening victory in the Rivalry
Supporting Prunty’s scoring output, Jaeden Roberts contributed 17 points while Malachi Brown added 16, creating a balanced frontcourt threat. Roberts shot 5 of 9 from the floor, including two three-pointers, while Brown was efficient at 4 of 7 from the field. The trio’s combined 52 points accounted for more than 60% of the team’s total output, showcasing a potent offensive core that UNC Asheville struggled to contain throughout the contest.
On the other side of the ball, Connor Dubsky led UNC Asheville with 16 points and three steals, demonstrating his defensive versatility. Ja’Corey Lipkins provided a strong interior presence with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Jermaurhiyun Anderson added 13 points. Despite these individual efforts, the Bulldogs could not overcome Western Carolina’s superior free-throw shooting and balanced scoring to improve their record to 1-2.
Source: Yahoo Sports
