Nov. 19, 2001

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Freshman Kevin Martin scored 16 points in his collegiate debut to lead the Western Carolina men's basketball team to a 66-58 season-opening victory over Tennessee Wesleyan Monday night at the Ramsey Activity Center.

In the win, Western Carolina set a Ramsey Center record with 20 steals in the contest. The previous mark was 18 set by the Catamounts versus Tusculum in 1987 season opener.

While Martin (Zanesville, Ohio) led the team in scoring, it was senior Casey Rogers (Morganton, N.C.) and junior Kori Hatcher (Valdosta, Ga.) who spurred the Catamounts from 13 down midway through the second half to the win. Rogers, who added eight assists with only one turnover, drained consecutive 3-pointers to cut the Bulldog lead to three, 46-43 with 14:06 left. Hatcher hit one jumper just inside the 3-point line to cut the lead to two, then gave WCU a one-point lead at the 10:11 mark after converting an old-fashion 3-point, making a runner in the lane and the ensuing free throw. Starting with Hatcher's first jumper, Western would go on a 9-0 run and led the remainder of the game.

The Bulldogs answered Western's run with a 6-0 to cut the Catamount advantage to one (56-55 at the 4:21 mark). However, WCU ended the game with a 7-0 run to provide the final margin.

WCU seniors Kelvin Wylie (Rock Hill, S.C.) and Cory Largent (Morganton, N.C.) joined Martin in double figures with 12 and 10, respectively. Willie Freeman just missed a double-double with nine points and nine rebounds.

Tennessee Wesleyan shot 63.2 percent (12-of-19) from the field in the first half and forced 10 Catamount turnovers to take a 37-30 lead at halftime. The Bulldogs were led by junior J.B. Watkins, who scored 15 first-half points on 3-of-3 shooting from 3-point range and 4-of-5 shooting overall. Junior Mike Brock added seven points. Watkins led all scores with 22 points, while Brock contributes 14. Bulldog junior Tyler Jaquess pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.

Western Carolina will return to action on Saturday (Nov. 24) when it travels to Conway, S.C., for a 7:00 p.m. tip off versus Coastal Carolina.

NOTE: With eight points tonight, Casey Rogers only needs one point to reach 1,000 for his career. Cory Largent, who had 10 points tonight, only needs three to reach the milestone. They will become the 31st and 32nd Catamounts to score 1,000 for their career.