Asheville, NC -- The Johnson & Wales University Men's Basketball Team made the trip to Asheville, NC Wednesday evening to take on the University of North Carolina at Asheville in their first match-up with an NCAA Division I opponent this season.  The Wildcats opened the season 4-1, but they ran into a well-balanced, athletic UNC-Asheville team that had size and depth at all positions.  JWU played hard and will be able to better understand its weaknesses, but they fell to the Bulldogs by a score of 48-87.  

Johnson & Wales (4-2 overall, 2-1 USCAA) was led by Rickey Porter with a double-double of 15 points and 13 rebounds.  DeQuincey Bennett was also in double-figures on the night after hitting three three-point baskets and two free throws for 11 points.  The Wildcats were held to 33.3% shooting from the field and had a difficult time getting points in the paint.  The Bulldogs (2-1) got 20 points from Andrew Rowsey and shot 52.2% from the floor en route to their victory.  

Next up for the Wildcats is a tournament at CIAA powerhouse Johnson C. Smith University.  JWU plays the host team on Friday, November 21 at 7:30 PM and returns to JCSU to play Livingstone College on Saturday, November 22 at 4:00 PM.