Reid-Augst.jpg

UNCA’s Reid Augst scored a career-high 21 points against High Point University last Wednesday night.

HIGH POINT — Arizona Reid scored 32 points to lead High Point to an 80-71 Big South Conference victory over UNC Asheville last Wednesday at the Millis Center.

The Bulldogs (18-6, 7-2) dropped their second straight game and did not have the services of leading scorer Bryan Smithson, who missed the game with an ankle injury. Center Kenny George started, but only played seven minutes and scored four points.

“We battled hard tonight but just didn’t do enough to win,” said Asheville coach Eddie Biedenbach. “We played too inconsistent on defense to beat a good team like High Point on the road.”

Asheville was led by junior forward Reid Augst, who scored a career-high 21 points. K.J. Garland finished with 16 points, 15 of which came in the second half.

Eugene Harris added 19 points for the Panthers (14-10, 6-4).

Asheville battled back from a 17-point secondhalf deficit to cut the lead to 49-42 with 10 minutes left. But Reid scored seven straight points to push the margin to 56-42.

The Panthers went 17-of-20 from the free throw line in the second half and 10-of-11 in the final five minutes to keep the Bulldogs at bay.

“I was proud of our effort,” Biedenbach said. “We got some help from our younger guys, and that will make us better down the road.”

The Panthers controlled the first half thanks to strong shooting from the field. High Point got 12 points from Harris and 10 points from Reid to forge a 37-29 halftime lead. The home team shot 66 percent (16-of-24) from the field, while the Bulldogs converted just 35 percent (9-of-26).