Rowsey hits 3 late FTs to lift Asheville over Gardner-Webb

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. (AP) Andrew Rowsey made three free throws with three seconds left to give UNC Asheville a 92-89 win over Gardner-Webb to move into first place in the Big South Conference.

Rowsey's pump fake from the top of the key drew a foul from Tyler Strange.

Giacomo Zilli and Rowsey had 19 points apiece for UNC Asheville (13-11, 9-4). Kevin Vannatta had 17 and the Bulldogs made 62.7 percent (37 of 59) of its shots.

UNC Asheville is a half-game ahead of five teams with an 8-4 conference record.

UNC Asheville had a 89-82 lead with 2:38 left, but Gardner-Webb's Jerome Hill opened and closed a 7-0 run to tie it at 89-all with 1:20 left.

Hill finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds for Gardner-Webb (16-10, 8-5). Strange added 14 points and career-high tying 14 assists.

Gardner-Webb scored the final four points of the half to cut its deficit to 47-43 after trailing by 12 points.