UNC Asheville rallies to beat Campbell 77-73 in title game

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports North Carolina Asheville guard Trent Stephney (0) tries to knock the ball away from Campbell guard Ricky Clemons (1) during the first half of the Big South Championship NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Drew Pember had 29 points, Tajion Jones scored 16 in the final 7:35 and No. 1 seed UNC Asheville stormed back to beat seventh-seeded Campbell 77-73 on Sunday, winning the Big South Conference Tournament championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time.

Ricky Clemons hit a jumper to give Campbell a 66-52 lead and then Jones took over. The senior guard scored 10 straight points for the Bulldogs (27-7) after Pember made two free throws to cut their deficit to 68-64 with 3:41 to go. Clemons and Jones traded 3-pointers and Pember followed with a three-point play to get UNC Asheville within 71-70.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports Big South Campbell UNC Asheville Basketball

Clemons hit a jumper with 1:44 to play but the Fighting Camels would not score again. Pember, who has attempted and made more free throws than anyone else in the country, sank a pair. Clemons was fouled but missed both free throws and Jones buried a 3-pointer to put the Bulldogs on top 75-73 with 55 seconds left. The last time UNC Asheville had the lead the score was 13-11.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports North Carolina Asheville players celebrate after defeating Campbell during the Big South Championship NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Pember, the Big South’s player of the year, hit 9 of 19 shots but just 1 of 6 from 3-point range. He made 10 of 12 foul shots. Jones sank 9 of 14 shots, including 5 of 8 from beyond the arc. They each grabbed eight rebounds. Fletcher Abee hit three from distance and scored 11.

Jay Pal scored a career-high 26 points to lead the Fighting Camels. The senior made 11 of 18 shots and grabbed 10 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the season. He added four assists and blocked two shots. Big South freshman of the year Anthony Dell’Orso scored 12 points — just two after halftime — and snagged seven rebounds. Clemons, a former walk-on now a senior, hit two 3-pointers and scored 17 before fouling out.

Pal had 16 points and eight rebounds by halftime to guide Campbell to a 38-35 lead at intermission.

The Fighting Camels (16-18) made their only trip to the Big Dance in 1992, losing to eventual champion Duke in the first round 82-56. Campbell is the sixth No. 7 seed to advance to the Big South title game. All six lost to the top seed.

© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports North Carolina Asheville guard Tajion Jones (3) reacts during the second half of the Big South Championship NCAA college basketball game against Campbell on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

UNC Asheville sports a 2-4 record in its four previous NCAA tourney appearances.

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© Provided by The Associated Press – Sports North Carolina Asheville forward Jamon Battle (1) celebrates with forward Drew Pember (4) after defeating Campbell during the Big South Championship NCAA college basketball game on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman) © Provided by The Associated Press – Sports North Carolina Asheville guard Tajion Jones (3) reacts during the second half of the Big South Championship NCAA college basketball game against Campbell on Sunday, March 5, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)