Jan. 21, 2001

Box Score

Charleston, SC - Laura Echols tallied 25 points as Western Carolina defeated College of Charleston 75-65 in Southern Conference women's basketball action Saturday at the John Kresse Arena.

Western Carolina improved to 8-9 overall and 2-6 in the conference, snapping its five-game losing streak, while the Cougars fall to 9-8 overall and 5-3 in conference play. Western Carolina held a 27-22 lead at the half, but the Cougars began the second half on an 8-0 run, leading the Lady Catamounts for the first time since the beginning of the first half when Sara Weaver hit a three-pointer to put CofC ahead 30-27 at the 18:16 mark of the second half.

Western Carolina fought back, and 91.7 percent second half free throw shooting led the Lady Catamounts to their second conference win of the season.

Tiffany Hamm scored 17 and Christy Blackwell added 11 in the win. For the game, Western Carolina shot 44.4 percent (24-54) from the field, 25.0 percent (1-4) from three-point range and 77.1 percent (27-35) from the free throw line.

For the Cougars, Wilma Simpson tallied her fifth double double of the season with 22 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Brittney Scarberry, who added 10 points. CofC shot 35.9 percent (23-64) from the field, 17.6 percent (3-17) from three-point range and 94.1 (16-17) from the charity stripe.