The first five minutes of the game couldn't have gone much better for UNC Asheville in its 85-66 win over Drexel on Thursday at the GCI Great Alaska Shootout at the Alaska Airlines Center.
The Bulldogs (2-3) went up 12-0, making five of their first six shots while the Dragons (0-4) faltered during that span, with their fouls outnumbering their shots.
Drexel recovered from the disastrous start by slowly chipping away at Asheville's lead and took its first lead, 24-23, with 5:16 left in the half on a free throw by guard Sammy Mojica. The Dragons went into the locker room leading 38-34.
Then, Drexel suffered its second collapse of the game late in the second half. A technical foul on Mojica and a team technical foul came in the final 10 minutes, helping Asheville build its lead to nearly 20 points.
Drexel finished with 27 personal fouls.
Four Asheville players finished in double figures, a group led by forward Sam Hughes with 18 points. Guards Ahmad Thomas and Dwayne Sutton added 14 each and guard David Robertson contributed 13.
Guard Terrell Allen finished with 19 points and Mojica added 16 in only 21 minutes to lead the Dragons.
It was the first Shootout appearance for both teams.
The Shootout continues Friday with San Jose State versus San Diego at noon and UAA against Drexel at 2 p.m. in the consolation semifinals.
Toledo and Loyola Chicago will meet in the first semifinal game at 5:30 p.m. and Middle Tennessee State plays UNC Asheville in the 8 p.m. semifinal.
All games are played at the Alaska Airlines Center.