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Bryan Smithson and Reid Augst scored 21 points each as the Bulldogs downed Charleston Southern 87-73 in their Homecoming game in front of another sold-out Justice Center crowd.

"I think because it was Homecoming, that really helped us out. There were a lot of people there and that really got us going," Augst said. "The fans were great."

With this win, the Bulldogs now hold the school record for most regular season wins since going to Division I. They also broke their four-game loosing streak.

"We really played well on offense today," said Head Coach Eddie Biedenbach. "We played with a lot of energy and then did a nice job in the second half holding off several runs that Charleston Southern made at us."

The Bulldogs got 15 points and three blocked shots from Kenny George.

The junior center set a single-season record for blocked shots with 87. Walker in the 2003-2004 season.

George went 7-of-10 from the field and was a perfect 6-of-6 in the second half.

"Kenny played great," Augst said. "We're glad he's able to play again."

Augst finished 10-of-14 from the field and grabbed a career-best nine rebounds.

Vincent James added 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Asheville shot 62 percent (34-of-55) from the field and it marked the 16th time this season the Bulldogs have shot at, or better than, 50 percent from the field.

The Bulldogs led from start to finish as they trailed 3-0 in the first 30 seconds of the game. Smithson helped the Bulldogs get off to a strong start as he hit his first five three-pointers and scored 19 points in the first half.

The Bulldogs had a 44-30 lead at halftime.

In the second, half the Buccaneers came as close as 59-54, but Asheville went on a 9-0 run

to push the lead to 72-58.

The Bulldogs built the lead to as much as 18 at 83-65 before setting for the final margin.

Asheville's defense limited the Buccaneers to 38 percent (26-of-69) shooting from the field.

"I felt like we finally got back on track in this game," Augst said. "We amped up on defense and I think that really helped us out too."

The Bulldogs will face Winthrop University this Saturday in Rock Hill, S.C., in their last conference game of the season.

Asheville beat Winthrop 71-56 in their last meeting, and the two teams have battled for the top spot in the Big South Conference this season.

"We know they're going to come out stronger since we beat them once," Augst said. "We're really going to focus on playing how we played them last game and getting our Big South title."

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