Thomas, Sutton lead UNC Asheville past Longwood 88-74

ASHVILLE, N.C. (AP) Ahmad Thomas scored 21 points and freshman Dwayne Sutton had a career-high 20 to lead UNC Asheville to an 88-74 win over Longwood on Saturday.

Sam Hughes added 15 points for the Bulldogs (15-8, 8-3 Big South), who won the first meeting on the road 70-61. Thomas and Sutton both had nine boards as the Bulldogs outrebounded the Lancers 39-31.

Thomas scored six points as Asheville closed the first half with a 6-2 spurt for a 36-33 lead and he also scored the first two points of the second half. He and Sutton combined for seven points that pushed the lead to 50-39 and the Lancers never got closer than eight down the stretch.

Asheville went 8 of 16 behind the arc and shot 52.5 percent from the field. The Bulldogs also made 18 of 22 free throws.

Tra'Vaughn White and Lotanna Nwogbo had 19 points apiece for Longwood (6-17, 2-8).