Jan 26, 2002
Box Score
DAVIDSON, N.C. - With the NCAA's 15th longest home winning streak (12) on the line, Western Carolina pulled out a thrilling 70-67 overtime win over Davidson Saturday evening at Belk Arena.
The win was the first overtime victory for the Catamounts (11-8, 5-3 SoCon) in three tries this season --?losing double overtime games to Stetson and The Citadel --?and their first in overtime since a 73-72 win over Chattanooga in the 1986 season finale. The Wildcats (13-6, 6-2 SoCon) lost an overtime game for the first time in over 10 years, winning eight in a row during that span.
"I still do not know how we won the game," said WCU head coach Steve Shurina. "This is the first time we did not have our good stuff and still won. We just gutted it out for the win."
Western Carolina trailed by three with time winding down in regulation, when a struggling Kevin Martin came through with his first three-pointer of the night to tie the game at 63. After the shot, Davidson could not get even a desperation attempt in the final 2.5 seconds.
Martin did all the damage in overtime as well, immediately knocking down a three-pointer to put the Catamounts up, 66-63. The two sides traded a pair of free throws, with junior Wayne Bernard connecting for Davidson and Martin for the Catamounts.
"Kevin (Martin) really struggled tonight," Shurina said. "But he showed why he is a great player by making the plays for us when we needed it down the stretch."
Wildcat senior point guard Michael Bree netted a driving layup to bring Davidson back within one with 53 seconds to play. When Western Carolina failed to score on its next possession, the Wildcats had 16 seconds to win the game.
Junior Chris Pearson launched a three from the top of the key with nine seconds that was off-line, and Martin snared the rebound. He was fouled with five seconds on the clock, and calmly dropped both ends of a one-and-one for the three-point cushion.
Bree's three at the buzzer wouldn't go, leaving the Catamounts standing.
For Shurina, it was his first victory over his former boss at Davidson in four tries. He served under Wildcat head coach Bob McKillop for seven seasons (1992-1999).
Western's Cory Largent, who pulled down seven rebounds, finished with 19 points to lead all scorers, 15 of those coming in the first half. As for Martin, he tallied 18 points on 4-of-14 shooting. An 89 percent free throw shooter, he managed to hit just 4-of-10 from the charity stripe in regulation, but sank all four attempts in the overtime period. The Zanesville, Ohio, native additionally pulled down eight rebounds.
Also in double figures for WCU were Casey Rogers with 17 - thanks to sinking 5-of-6 three-pointers - and Kelvin Wylie with 12. With his five treys, Rogers has now made 201 career 3-pointers, which puts him among the SoCon's career leaders at 11th. Also entering the SoCon record book was Rans Brempong. The sophomore, who tied a SoCon freshman record with 93 blocked shots last season, had four rejections at Davidson to give him 141 for his career, which ranks 12th on the league's career list.
While being held scoreless, senior Willie Freeman played a key role in the win, grabbing nine rebounds and setting the tone with his hard-noised play.
Davidson also had four players in double figures: Pearson with 15, Bree and Peter Anderer with 12, and Bernard with 11. But without two senior starters, Emeka Erege and 7-2 center Martin Ides, the Wildcats were beaten on the boards by a hefty 45-30 margin. Due to the lack of size, Davidson also tied a school record by attempting 33 three-pointers, making just 10.
Western Carolina heads home for a battle for king-of-the-mountain rights with Appalachian State on Monday at 7 pm. The game will be "Beach Night at the RAC" so bring your shades, sandals and other beach attire as the "Best Dressed" will win a trip for two to the SoCon Championship in Charleston, S.C., Feb. 28-Mar. 3.
