Baker, UNC Asheville beat NAIA St. Andrews 87-47
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — DeVon Baker scored 27 points to help UNC Asheville beat NAIA St. Andrews 87-47 on Thursday night for Mike Morrell's first career win as a head coach.
Baker was 8-of-15 shooting, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range, grabbed six rebounds and had three steals. Tajion Jones added 14 points and four assists and Coty Jude scored 11 for the Bulldogs, who won their season opener for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Jude hit a 3-pointer to give UNC Asheville a 5-3 lead and the Knights trailed the rest of the way. Baker made a layup and Jones came up with a quick steal and layup that pushed the lead into double figures for good midway through the first half.
The Bulldogs used its 18-2 advantage on the offensive glass to outscore St. Andrews 20-0 in second-chance points and outscored the Knights 22-3 in points off turnovers.
Isaac Clay and Luis Rossi led St. Andrews with eight points apiece.
