Eagles Claim Tournament Bye With 71-58 Big South Victory At UNC Asheville

    ASHEVILLE, NC--Winthrop captured a bye in the first round of next week's Big South Conference championship tournament with a 71-58 victory over UNC Asheville.  The Eagles finished second in the final BSC standings with a 11-3 record while the Bulldogs finished third with a 9-5 mark. 

    Winthrop will face the winner of the UNCA vs. Liberty first-round game on Friday at 8:30 p.m. in the Roanoke Civic Center.

    Four Winthrop players scored in double figures led by Derrick Knox with 18.  Pierre Wooten tied his career-high with 16 while Roger Toxey scored 15, including nine late in the game, and Marcus Stewart added 11.

    With the Eagles leading 53-49, Toxey came through for Winthrop.  He connected on four straight free throws, including two on technical free throws after UNCA head coach Eddie Biedenbach was tagged.  He then made a steal and came up with a three-point play and then added another free throw to give Winthrop a 61-49 lead with 1:57 left.

    The Eagles converted 26 of 34 free throws in the game, including 21 of 29 in the second half when the Bulldogs were forced to foul.