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The High Point University men's basketball team got 19-points from both Shay Shine and Corey Law in a 76-73 victory over UNC Asheville on Saturday night at the Millis Center in High Point, N.C. Law added 12 rebounds for a double-double and Shine also had seven steals and six assists.

“I'm really excited about the contributions that everyone on this team made – from guys who played just a few minutes to guys who played a lot of minutes – everyone's contributions were huge to get this win,” said HPU head coach Scott Cherry. “The team effort was especially important early in the second half when our team was a little fatigued. The job our guards did guarding their leading scorers was phenomenal, especially Tehran Cox, Shay Shine and Nick Barbour. We're really happy to be 2-0 to start league play.”

High Point University improved to 4-3 overall and 2-0 in the Big South – HPU's first 2-0 league start since 2006-07. UNC Asheville fell to 3-5 overall and 1-1 in the Big South with the loss.

Cox got off to a fast start for the second game in a row, getting two of the Panthers' first three baskets and seven points in the first seven minutes. He scored in double-figures for the second game in a row with 12 points.

The Panthers opened up a 25-18 lead in the first 10 minutes when Shine completed an old-fashioned three-point play and, on the next possession, stole the ball and dished it to Cameron Solomon for a fast-break layup.

HPU had an incredible stretch in the 12th minute when Du'Vaughn Maxwell blocked a shot that led to a windmill dunk by Law. On the ensuing Asheville possession, Law blocked two D.J. Cunningham shots, then blocked another after an official timeout. Maxwell hit a jumper a minute later that made it 31-24. Maxwell finished the game with five points, four steals and three blocks.

Asheville scored the next six points – including a three-point play by Chris Stephenson – before Shine hit a jumper to make it 33-30. The Panthers stretched their lead back to seven (42-35) leading into the half when George Massoda grabbed a rebound and passed it out to Shine. Shine took the ball in and dunked over the 6-foot-10 Cunningham in the final seconds.

UNC Asheville scored the first four points coming out of halftime and took a 47-46 lead with 14:58 remaining when Matt Dickey hit a pair of free throws. HPU answered with a pair of free throws by David Campbell but Asheville continued the pressure and six-straight points by Quinard Jackson made it 53-49 in favor of the Bulldogs.

The Panthers charged back two minutes later and tied it at 55-55. Shine hit a bucket, then rebounded a three-point attempt by Dickey that resulted in another dunk by Law. Asheville countered with a 7-0 run before Shine hit a layup and Law completed a three-point play to make it 62-60. The Panthers finally regained the lead at 67-65 when Shine stole the ball and laid it in.

High Point maintained that lead until the end, although UNC Asheville made it tough. HPU led 76-70 with under 10 seconds to go when Stephenson hit a trey with a hand in his face to bring it within a possession. After an Asheville timeout, the Bulldogs fouled Shine. He missed both, however, and the final rebound was up for grabs but Cox hauled in to seal the victory.

Nick Barbour scored 14 points to give HPU four in double-figures. Law's double-double was the seventh of his career. He also had three steals and two blocks.

UNC Asheville was led in scoring by Quinard Jackson's 17 points, 14 of which came in the second half. Stephenson had 14 points and Jaron Lane scored 12. HPU held Dickey to six points and Primm to seven after the two averaged 17.7 and 17.6, respectively, coming into the game.

High Point University begins a stretch of seven straight road games next week when it travels to Tennessee Tech on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. matchup.