College Basketball Roundup: Pember leads UNC Asheville past Longwood

App State, Queens come up short in tight games

ASHEVILLE — Drew Pember’s 19 points helped UNC Asheville defeat Longwood 54-46 on Thursday night.

Pember had 14 rebounds for the Bulldogs (12-6, 4-1 Big South Conference). Tajion Jones scored 10 points and added eight rebounds and three blocks. Fletcher Abee finished with 10 points and three steals.

Isaiah Wilkins led the way for the Lancers (12-6, 4-1) with 10 points, 15 rebounds and two blocks. Michael Christmas added nine points for Longwood. Zac Watson also had eight points. The Lancers broke a seven-game winning streak with the loss.

UNC Asheville visits Gardner-Webb on Saturday.

Georgia Southern 67, Appalachian State 65

BOONE — Jalen Finch made a layup at the buzzer, Andrei Savrasov scored 21 points and Georgia Southern defeated Appalachian State 67-65 on Thursday night.

Finch had the ball at the top of the arc, split two defenders and swooped in for a long layup off the glass as time explired.

Savrasov also added 11 rebounds for the Eagles (11-7, 4-1 Sun Belt Conference). Finch and Tyren Moore each scored 14 points.

The Mountaineers (9-9, 2-3) were led in scoring by Donovan Gregory, who finished with 21 points and four assists. Tyree Boykin added 13 points for Appalachian State. Justin Abson also recorded 11 points and four blocks.

Appalachian State hosts Troy on Saturday.

Central Arkansas 92, Queens 91

CHARLOTTE — Camren Hunter’s 33 points led Central Arkansas over Queens 92-91 on Thursday night.

Hunter shot 11 for 20 (4 for 9 from 3-point range) for the Bears (6-12, 1-4 Atlantic Sun Conference). Vincent Reeves scored 14 points and added eight rebounds. Johannes Kirispuu also finished with 14 points. The win broke an eight-game slide for the Bears.

AJ McKee led the way for the Royals (12-6, 2-3) with 22 points. Kenny Dye added 15 points, six assists and two steals for Queens. Chris Ashby also had 12 points.

After Dye made two free throws with 34 seconds left the Royals forced a turnover but then Dye missed a potential winning shot with four seconds to play.

Queens hosts North Alabama on Saturday.