Jan. 2, 2002
Box Score
Lexington,Va. -
Jan 2, 2002
Box Score
Western Carolina guard Kevin Martin scored a career-high 33 points to lead the Catamounts to a 90-80 win over VMI Wednesday night at Cameron Hall. It was the Southern Conference opener for both teams.
Western Carolina (7-5, 1-0 SoCon) captured its first conference road win since February, 2000, when the Catamounts upended the Keydets, 85-82. The victory also eclipsed last year's win total of six games.
VMI (5-6, 0-1 SoCon) trailed 76-74 when Preston Beverly hit a jumper with 3:29 left in regulation. But the Catamounts outscored the Keydets 14-6 the rest of the way and nailed 12 of 13 free throws in the last 2:09 of the contest. Martin converted five of those foul shots during the stretch run.
Martin hit 10-of-16 shots from the field, including four of six from 3-point range, and was perfect in nine attempts from the charity stripe.
Cory Largent scored 13 points and Rans Brempong added 12 points for the Catamounts, while Willie Freeman pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds.
VMI was led by freshman forward Jason Conley who scored 33 points. It was the fourth 30+ point game this season for the nation's leading scorer despite shooting just 11-of-27 from the field, including 6-of-15 from 3-point land. Radee Skipworth scored 15 points and Daron Pressley added 12 for the Keydets.
VMI built a pair of seven point leads in the first half, only to see them evaporate as the Cats assumed a 44-43 lead at halftime.
The Keydets roared to a 9-0 start in the second half and built a 52-44 lead on a Conley 3-pointer with 17:45 left, but the Catamounts countered with an 8-0 run and tied the game at 52-52 on a Kelvin Wylie free throw.
Western Carolina took the lead for good on a Terrence Woodyard jumper that pulled the Cats ahead 63-62 with 9:11 remaining.
VMI forced Western Carolina into 24 turnovers, but the Catamounts bounced back by shooting 52.5% from the floor and hitting 21-of-24 free throws. WCU also held a 43-35 advantage on the boards.
WCU employed a 2-3 zone most of the second half and limited VMI to 37.3% shooting for the game.
After four straight road games and playing six of its last seven away from the Ramsey Center, Western Carolina will play the first of a three-game homestand on Saturday (Jan. 5) versus Davidson. The game, set for 7:00 pm, will the second annual "Pack the RAC" night.
