ASHEVILLE, N.C. –  Led by strong defense and a big third quarter, UNC Asheville held the high scoring Longwood offense in check to win 68-52 on Thursday afternoon at Kimmel Arena.
 
Kai Carter turned in a career night for UNC Asheville (4-5, 3-1 Big South) as the Bulldogs has three players score in double figures. Carter poured in 26 points and added 14 rebounds while knocking down six three's. Nadiria Evans added 12 points and Amaryah Corpening pitched in 10 points as the trio helped Asheville break open a defensive struggle in the third quarter.
 
Kyla McMakin led Longwood (3-6, 2-2 Big South) on a cold shooting night for the Lancers, dropping 18 points along with three steals. Akila Smith added her sixth double-double of the season with 12 points and 17 rebounds as nine different Lancers scored.
 
Longwood's defense kept the game close in the opening 20 minutes, as the Lancers held Asheville to .300 (9-30) from the floor, but the Lancers were ice cold as well, shooting just .233 (7-30) from the field in the first half. Longwood trailed by just five at the break.
 
"I thought in the first half—especially the second quarter—was some of the best defense we played," said head coach Rebecca Tillett. "We just couldn't convert on the other end. So I think we're trying to fix it in terms of generating it from the defensive end to the offensive end, but, goodness, we couldn't get shots to fall."
 
In the pivotal third quarter, Asheville's offense got going, knocking down 7-of-9 shots including 3-3 from long range. The outburst stretched the lead from five to 18 points. Karter drilled two threes and scored eight of her 26 points in the frame to go with four boards. Evans, who poured in 34 points in the opening game of the series, scored seven of her 12 points in the frame.
 
"I thought we had some good defensive possessions, but UNC Asheville was still finding some ways to get to the line or get it to the hot hand," Tillett said. "They had a hot shooter in Carter, and I think they did a great job of playing both nights to who was hot."
 
The Lancer defense tightened up again in the fourth quarter and held Asheville to .294 (5-17) from the floor, but by then the damage had been done.
 
"I think we need an increased level of focus for Big South preparation," added TIllett. "Our staff, the seniors, they can tell teammates that, but sometimes you have to experience it. And because our first game was against Radford and we won in a convincing fashion, you have to convince them, 'Hey, the Big South is going to prepare for us better than anybody else.' I think we learned that at Asheville, and I think our women will be locked into that and those details that are necessary to win. "
 
Up next, the Lancers continue their Big South slate at home for a back-to-back series with USC Upstate at Willett Hall on Monday, Jan. 4 and Tuesday, Jan. 5. Both games are set to tip off at 6 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
 
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