Jan. 3, 2001

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina's Cory Largent led the team for the fifth time in the last six games with 16 points in a 57-73 loss to Southern Conference opponent Davidson Wednesday night in the Ramsey Center.

After a 19-point deficit at halftime, Western fought back in the second half when a layup by junior Willie Freeman cut the lead to 14 at the 9:25 mark. Two minutes later junior Casey Rogers landed a free throw at the 7:14 mark to bring WCU within 13 (41-54). WCU outrebounded Davidson 27-23 in the second half despite not having a Catamount record double figures in that category.

In the first half Davidson broke out to an 8-2 lead at the 17:21 mark. The Catamounts went on a 4-0 run in the next two minutes of play for a two-point margin, the lowest of the night. Davidson made another break with a 20-8 run and a 14-point lead at the 7:25 mark with a jumper by Davidson's Emeka Erege. A three-pointer by WCU sophomore Kori Hatcher at the 2:28 mark cut the lead to nine.

Three Catamounts recorded double figures, Largent with 16, freshman Rans Brempong with 13 and Rogers with 11. Brempong led the team in rebounds with eight and blocked shots with two. He now has a total of 37 blocked shots this season and moved into four in WCU single-season record books.

Three Wildcats also recorded double figures, Erege who led the team with 23, sophomores Jason Dickens and Chris Pearson with 18 and 11 respectively. Pearson also recorded the games only double-double with 14 rebounds, second in his career.

Western Carolina falls to a 2-11 overall record and 0-1 in the Southern Conference while Davidson improves to 7-7 overall and 1-0 in the league.

Western will travel to VMI Saturday, January 6. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m.