True freshman Tim Smith made an impression in his first collegiate start Saturday as he led East Tennessee State over UNC Asheville, 87-69.
“I don’t know if you can play any better,” ETSU head coach Ed DeChellis said. “He’s very fast with the ball. I think it’s safe to say we found something we’re going to stick with.”
Smith was 7-10 from the field and 5-7 from 3-point land to lead four Buccaneers in double-digits with 20 points. Smith also had seven rebounds and a game-high six assists and five steals.
“Getting under guys is what I do,” said Smith. “I’ve always been the smallest guy on the court (5-foot-9). The big men tend to bring the ball down, and I sneak in under.”
Smith wasn’t alone on the court as the Bucs snapped a three-game losing streak.
Jerald Fields and Zakee Wadood accounted for 30 Buccaneer points (16 and 14, respectively) and 12 rebounds (eight and four, respectively).
“Jerald and Zakee were very, very solid,” DeChellis said. “They have to step up and play like that every night.”
Wadood was making his first home appearance this season after missing the Bucs’ home opener to family business.
“I got a little bit of it out,” Wadood said. “I was just kind of angry the way I was playing. I thought I could have played better and the coaches thought I could have played better. Today I just tried to be more active.”
Also scoring double-digits were Ryan Lawson and James Anthony. Anthony scored 13 points and Lawson added 10.
Tiras Wade only scored four points, but grabbed two steals and helped out with four assists.
The Bucs shot 47 percent from the field (33-70), including 10 from behind the arc and 11-16 from the foul line. ETSU also outrebounded the Bulldogs 41-33.
“They’re physical,” UNC Asheville head coach Eddie Biedenbach said. “These guys get in the weight room. They’re strong and tough and they battle. We didn’t respond to the challenge. They just whipped us in every phase. That’s why it was a 20-point game.”
The Bucs got a great performance from their bench which accounted for 23 points and 11 rebounds. Anthony led the way with his 13 points.
“James did a tremendous job off the bench,” said DeChellis. “He played great defense and made open shots.”
Freshman Brad Nuckles scored six points, pulled down seven boards and blocked two shots.
“Brad was also great off the bench,” DeChellis said. “He got a 3 and had a big 3-point play.”
DeChellis said the change to Smith at point shouldn’t reflect on Oatman. He has started the first four games for the Bucs and will continue to be a dominant force on the court.
“I’m not a real smart guy, but I figured we needed to make a little change at the point guard spot,” DeChellis said. “And it’s nothing against Sam Oatman. Sam’s had a good fall and has been very solid for us. Sam has put a lot of pressure on himself, playing not to make a mistake and you really can’t play that way. Some of his expressions and his mannerisms were just not him.
“He is a very good player and we need him. We just decided to try to let him relax a little bit and come off the bench.”
DeChellis said of Smith: “We needed someone to step up and calm us down when we got out of control.”
ETSU’s freshmen have made a difference in the more than one game as the Smith, Nuckles and Ben Rhoda, who saw little playing time Saturday as he had a final exam, have tallied 81 points, 44 rebounds, 14 assists, 11 steals and six blocked shots.
“These guys are going to play a bunch,” DeChellis said. “They’ve all got a great future.”
For Asheville, Ben McGonagil led scorers with 19 points. McGonagil was joined in double figures by Andre Smith (16), Bryan McCullough (13) and Alex Kragel (12).
ETSU will play host to UVa.-Wise Saturday, Dec. 14, at 4 p.m. The game will be played in Brooks Gym due to graduation ceremonies being held that day at the Memorial Center.

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