Gardner-Webb 78, UNC Asheville 71

Jan 9, 2013, 10:20 pm

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. -- Tashan Newsome scored 19 points to lead Gardner-Webb past UNC Asheville 78-71 Wednesday night in a Big South Conference matchup.

Donta Harper and Max Landis added 13 points apiece, and Jerome Hill finished with 12 points and nine rebounds to help Gardner-Webb (9-7, 1-1) beat UNC Asheville for the first time since joining the Big South in 2008.

Ahead 35-24 at halftime, the Runnin' Bulldogs opened the second half on a 14-5 run to go up by 20 points, 49-29, with 15:44 remaining.

UNC Asheville cut the lead to eight points at 72-64 behind Trent Meyer's 3-pointer with 1:24 left to play, but Newsome answered with a dunk and three free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.

Will Weeks led the UNC Asheville with a game-high 27 points and eight rebounds, making 11 of 12 shots from the field.