Smith scores 20 to lead balanced attack as UNC-Asheville defeats Virginia Military 97-84

UNC-Asheville defeats VMI 97-84

LEXINGTON, Va. — Sean Smith scored 20 points to lead six North Carolina-Asheville players in double figures as the Bulldogs knocked off Virginia Military 97-84 on Thursday night.

J.P. Primm added 17 points and UNC-Asheville (4-12, 2-4 Big South Conference) held off VMI (5-10, 1-5) down the stretch to snap a six-game losing streak.

VMI, which entered leading Division I in scoring at 90.8 points a game, cut UNC-Asheville’s lead to 85-80 on Ron Burks’ layup with 3:42 left. The Bulldogs, however, scored the next eight points, getting 3-pointers from Smith and Matt Dickey to lead 93-80 with 2:03 remaining.

The Keydets were 5-for-35 from the 3-point line.

John Williams scored 16, Chris Stephenson had 15 points and nine rebounds, Dickey scored 12 and Jaron Lane added 10 for UNC-Asheville.

Stan Okoye had 21 points and 10 rebounds, Keith Gabriel scored 19 and Austin Kenon added 11 for VMI.