Asheville Routs Erskine 101-74 in Home Opener
Connor Dubsky scored 21 points and Tylon Chatman passed 700 career points as UNC Asheville won at Kimmel Arena.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Basketball
UNC Asheville defeated Erskine 101-74 in its home-opening basketball game. All 11 Bulldogs who entered the game scored, and five finished in double figures.
Why it matters
The win gives the Bulldogs a strong start to the season with balanced scoring across the roster. Milestones for Tylon Chatman and Connor Dubsky add to the program's early-season momentum.
Asheville shot 54.2 percent from the field (32-of-59) and made 15 three-pointers at a 39.5 percent clip, outrebounding Erskine 40-30. Chatman's 707 career points and Dubsky's six three-pointers on 11 attempts stood out in the 27-point win.
The players
Connor Dubsky
Dubsky is a UNC Asheville guard who scored a game-high 21 points, matching his career high, and reached 200 career points.
Tylon Chatman
Chatman is a UNC Asheville guard who recorded a game-high nine assists and surpassed 700 career collegiate points.
UNC Asheville Bulldogs
The UNC Asheville Bulldogs are the men's basketball program of the University of North Carolina at Asheville, competing in the Big South Conference.
The details
Asheville held a 51-35 lead at halftime and kept its advantage through the second half. Daniel Thomas posted a career-high 17 points and a team-high nine rebounds, Khayri Dunn added 14, and Ja'Corey Lipkins recorded a career-high five assists alongside 11 points.
Timeline
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2026: UNC Asheville defeats Erskine 101-74 at Kimmel Arena.
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026: Asheville hosts Western Carolina in the Mountain Rivalry game.
Season Trajectory
Dubsky's 21 points equal the career-best mark he set in December 2024 against Bluefield University, extending a pattern of high-output scoring. Chatman's climb past 700 career points places him among the program's steady contributors as the season opens.
The Bulldogs' balanced scoring and assist total could shape early rotation decisions for fantasy and bracket watchers. The Mountain Rivalry meeting with Western Carolina two days later offers the next test of that depth.
The takeaway
Balanced production from 11 players who all scored signals depth that can carry UNC Asheville through a demanding early schedule. Watch whether the scoring spread holds against the Catamounts.
What happens next
Asheville hosts Western Carolina in the Mountain Rivalry game on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local program, see Asheville Basketball coverage.
