Big win for UNCA and the tallest man in college basketball as Bulldogs knock off S.C.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Have you heard the buzz building over the UNCA men’s basketball team this year? They’ve got the tallest player in college basketball, 7-foot-7 Kenny George, and they had a sparking 10-3 record headed into last night’s game against South Carolina.

UNCA kept it close and found a way to win, a huge victory for the Bulldogs. And guess who they play next? The No.1 team in the country, the UNC Tar Heels. Look for that game at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Here’s a snippet from the wire story:

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Kenny George’s dunk with 26.8 seconds left gave North Carolina-Asheville the lead for good as the Bulldogs scored the final 10 points to defeat South Carolina 61-58 Saturday night.
George, who at 7-foot-7, 360 pounds is the nation’s tallest player, gave the Bulldogs a 59-58 lead. After Devan Downey missed a 3-pointer with about 10 seconds left, Bryan Smithson, an 81.8 percent foul shooter, hit two free throws to increase the lead to 61-58.

Downey’s desperation 3-pointer from just inside half court at the buzzer missed everything as the Gamecocks fell to 8-6 while the Bulldogs ran their record to 11-3 with only their second win in nine games against South Carolina.

George, who doesn’t start, led the Bulldogs with 16 points and 13 rebounds while K.J. Garland added 15. South Carolina was led by Downey with 18 while Zam Fredrick added 14.

Here’s the full story at ESPN.com

Go Bulldogs!