Buckeye Blogger Network
Sullinger wasn't the player of the game, but certainly changed the defense in Lighty's favor
The Bulldogs of UNC-Asheville (5-5 season coming in) paid the Buckeyes a visit in Columbus this evening and were sent home packing by a final score of 96-49. David Lighty was the player of the game, scoring 23 points in the first half and 29 for the entire game with 7-10 shooting from three. The Buckeyes were particularly impressive tonight, jumping out to a big lead, and then using their bench players to let the game get completely out of hand.
After the fast paced game against South Carolina on Saturday, this one started out feeling surprisingly slow and sluggish on both sides of the court. Both teams were careful and methodical about looking for open shots and finding good passing lanes. Of course, that doesn’t mean that players weren’t taking shots quickly. Particularly impressive was David Lighty who exploded for 13 points in the first 4 minutes of the game on 5-6 shooting (3-4 from beyond the arc).
Lighty was so effective due to the defensive assignments set by Asheville. The Bulldogs came in double teaming Sullinger down low, and essentially gluing a guy to Diebler’s jersey. The result was Lighty finding himself open more often than not, and he made Asheville pay dearly for that mistake. Clearly his quiet play the last couple games hid his potential from the Asheville coaches – or they figured Sullinger was the more important threat.
Tomorrow night the Buckeyes continue their string of home games leading up to the Big Ten regular season by welcoming another team from down South to chilly Columbus. This time it will be the North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs, who are coming off two straight wins. UNCA is the only liberal arts college in the UNC system and has a relatively small enrollment. Out of that small enrollment, a select few play basketball wearing official team jerseys. Let’s meet them.
Didn't I see their mascot in All Dogs Go To Heaven?
| School: | University of North Carolina at Asheville |
| Location: | Asheville, North Carolina |
| Founded: | 1927 |
| Student Population: | 3,609 |
| School Type: | Public |
| Division: | NCAA |
| Conference: | Big South |
| Stadium: | Justice Center |
| Seating: | 1,200 |
| Built: | 1965 |
| Head Coach: | Eddie Biedenbach |
| Year: | 15th |
