Jan. 28, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Despite a double-double from Catamount senior Willie Freeman, Western Carolina dropped a 66-62 decision to Southern Conference rival Appalachian State Monday night at the Ramsey Activity Center.

Appalachian State (8-12, 3-6 SoCon) ended the first half with an old fashion 3-point play by Chris McFarland as time expired to go into the locker room down just one, 30-29. The Mountaineers started the second half with a 10-2 run to go up 39-32 and never relinquished the lead.

Western Carolina (11-9, 5-4 SoCon) cut into an eight-point lead to tie the game at 57 with 2:46 left in the game on a pair of free throws by Cory Largent. However, Appalachian State junior Nate Carson drained all six of his free throw attempts inside the final two minutes to seal the win.

Carson led the Mountaineers, scoring 12 points off the bench. He was 2-of-3 from the field and 8-of-8 at the line. Donald Payne added 11 points with eight rebounds, while McFarland scored 11 points.

Freeman recorded his third double-double of the season, leading WCU with 23 points with a career-high 15 rebounds. Rans Brempong also had a career-high in rebounds with 14 and added four blocked shots. Largent hit all four of his free throw attempts en route to his 15 points.

Largent was the lone bright spot for the Catamounts at the foul line as Western made just 8-of-14 from the charity stripe. Conversely, Appalachian State was 25-of-33 at the line. While Western dominated the boards, 50-37, it also struggled from the 3-point arc as well, making 2-of-22 attempts.

Western Carolina will play at UNC Greensboro on Saturday (Feb. 2). Game time is set for 1 pm and will be telecast on Fox Sports Net South, in addition to the radio broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network. Appalachian State will also return to action on Saturday, hosting Davidson at 3 pm in the Holmes Center.