The High Point University men's basketball team remains at home on Wednesday, January 4
th for their first game of the 2023 year. The Panthers will host the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville in the Qubein Center at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 5:30 PM for the Draw Like A Panther Night. All kids will have a chance to receive an arm sleeve upon entrance to the game.
Game Info
Wednesday, Jan. 4 -- VS UNC Asheville (Qubein Center) 7:00 PM on ESPN+
Live Stats | Watch | Game Notes
Last Time Out
In the team's second conference game of the season, the Panthers could not push past the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner-Webb.
Abdoulaye Thiam tied his season-high in the 73-80 loss with 23 points, leading the night with four shots from deep. The tandem of
Emmanuel Izunabor and
Ahmard Harvey secured 22 rebounds of the teams 41 as each collected 11 apiece. Both Izunabor and Harvey remain in the top 10 in the Big South for rebounding. Overall, the Panthers shot 34.8% from the field, 29.6% from behind the arc and 70.8% from the line. The biggest difference came from the Bulldogs' bench, who managed to outscore the Panthers' bench, 33-12.
Across the Bench
UNC Asheville holds an overall record of 9-6 with a Big South conference record of 1-1 after falling to Winthrop on Saturday afternoon, 60-62. The Bulldogs were led by the preseason favorite, Drew Pember who landed a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds while also adding five blocks. Complimenting Pember, Tajion Jones recorded 17 points, three rebounds and a solo block. The Eagles outrebounded the Bulldogs, 38-28 giving them nine second chance points to the Bulldogs' two.
Overall, the Bulldogs are led by Pember in multiple areas, averaging 18.1 points per game, nine rebounds, and 2.8 blocks per game. Pember leads the conference in rebounding and blocked shots. As a team, UNCA is shooting 48.9% from the field, 31.9% from the three-point line and 66.8% from the free throw line, averaging 77 points per game. The team does a good job of getting to the line, as they have attained 79 more free throw attempts than their opponents (297-216).
UNC Asheville is coached by Mike Morrell, who enters his 5th season with the Bulldogs. Morrell led the team to an overall record of 17-15 during the 2021-22 campaign finishing with a conference record of 8-8. Morrell guided the Bulldogs to the programs first postseason appearance in four seasons, as they were invited to the College Basketball Invitation.
Matchup History
High Point holds an overall record of 23-29 with UNCA, holding a home record of 15-8. In the last meeting between the two teams, HPU defeated the Bulldogs, 91-83 at home in overtime. High Point's
John-Michael Wright sent the game into OT with three made free throws with four seconds left on the clock. Overall, the Panthers were guided by three players with 20+ points while the Bulldogs had two players finish with 20+ points, including Jones.
Panther Notes
First Program Win Over Top-100 Ken-Pom Opponent
Furman ranked 85th prior to the Panthers defeating the Paladins 85-82.
Best start to a season in D1 Program History
Through the first nine games of the season, the Panthers are 8-1 overall and 5-0 at the Qubein Center. This records the best start to a men's basketball season since becoming Division I in 1999.
House Leads Big South
Jaden House sits atop the poll for scoring in the Big South, averaging 20.2 points per game. Two Panthers also join House in the top 10 in scoring in the Big South, including
Abdoulaye Thiam (14.8 ppg) and
Zack Austin (14.6 ppg).
Brought the Hardware Back to N.C.
After defeating Central Michigan in the first round of the SoCal Challenge Sand Division 68-67, the Panthers took the 77-72 victory over Tennessee State in the Championship game. HPU brought back the surfboard to North Carolina, claiming the Sand Division title in the second year of the SoCal Challenge.
House Makes Lou Henson Award Watch list
Jaden House was named to the Lou Henson National Player of the Year Watch List on Tuesday, November 22nd. The award is presented annually to the top mid-major player in Division I basketball, which honors the former Illinois and New Mexico State head coach who won 775 games in 41 seasons. Henson was the winningest coach at both institutions.
First Mid-American Conference Win
For the first time in program history, HPU defeated a team from the MAC conference. The only other MAC team that High Point has competed against was Western Michigan twice.
House Top 20 in scoring
House's 20.2 points per game puts him in the top 20 overall in the country in scoring. He currently sits in 17th overall.
Thiam's Seven Three's-Third in Program History
In the win over Lees-McRae,
Abdoulaye Thiam punched seven three pointers to sit third in program history in a single game.
House's 30-Piece Records New
Career-High
After recording a career-high 23 against the Falcons, House blew that out the water with a 33-point game on Saturday. House shot 66.7% from the field and 91.7% from the line. After Saturday's performance, House stated "We have a lot of guys that can come in and score points, and I guess tonight was just my night."
Special Guest Harry Giles III
Winston-Salem native, Harry Giles III made a guest appearance at Monday night's game. The former Duke Blue Devil and NBA 1st round draft pick cheered on the Panthers in their 109-71 victory and mingled with the team after the game.
Thiam Drops 23 in Debut
Abdoulaye Thiam kicked off his High Point career with a bang, dropping 23 points, two rebounds and one assist. The sharpshooter went 8-for-15 from and field and knocked down 3-of-6 shots from behind the arc. The Minnesota transfer wowed the crowd with his high-flying windmill dunk early in the first half. After Saturday's performance Thiam stated "It felt really great because I did not have this opportunity where I was at so having a team that trust in me, that knows what I can do, and just come in and play and allows me to be me, made it a good experience."
Mr. Austin
Zack Austin was named to the Big South Preseason First Team. Following the 2021-22 season, Austin was named the Big South Freshman of the year while also being named to the second team all-conference selection. A key player for the Panthers, Austin started all 32 games and averaged 14.4 points per game, shooting 41.4% from the field. He contributed on the defensive end by averaging 8.0 rebounds per game (1st in Big South) and collecting a team-high 69 blocks (3rd in Big South), averaging just over two per game. Along with blocks, Austin also led the team in steals, picking up 43 for the season (10th in Big South). Within the conference, Austin made the top 10 in seven different statistical categories, including scoring, rebounding, field goal percentage, steals, 3-point field goals made, blocked shots and minutes played.
