UNC Asheville beats Liberty 80-70 in Big South tourney

CONWAY, S.C. (AP) Andrew Rowsey hit seven 3-pointers and scored 34 points to help sixth-seeded UNC-Asheville beat No. 11 seed Liberty 80-70 in the first round of the Big South Conference tournament on Wednesday night.

It was Rowsey's third game of at least 34 points this season.

Asheville (15-15) will play third-seeded Coastal Carolina in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Rowsey hit a 3 to close the first half before scoring eight points during a 10-2 run to open the second and Asheville led 43-32 with 16 minutes to play.

Liberty (8-24) scored seven in a row to pull within three with 12:40 left and a dunk by David Andoh cut the Flames' deficit to 51-49 with 10 minutes remaining.

Asheville responded by scoring 13 of the next 18 and opening up a 10-point cushion before making 14 of 16 free throws in the final 3:26 to seal it.

Andoh led Liberty with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Smith added 16 and nine.