Jan 5, 2002
Box Score
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Despite trailing by 24 in the first half and as much as 17 in the second, Western Carolina nearly pulled out a victory Saturday night at the Ramsey Activity Center over Davidson. However, Wildcat junior Chris Pearson came up with a key block and rebound in the final seconds to give Davidson a 74-71 decision.
With Davidson (8-5, 1-1) leading by two, 73-71, Pearson, who had 16 rebounds and 12 points to go along with three blocked shots, snatched a Kevin Martin layup out of the air and came down the rebound. Michael Bree only made 2-of-4 free throws inside the final 20 seconds, but his were the only points scored to secure the victory.
Bree led Davidson 19 points in the contest, hitting 5-of-9 3-pointers, and was joined in double figures by Wayne Bernard, who added 12.
Davidson shot 46.4 percent from the floor and held Western, the SoCon's leading field goal shooting team, to only 35 percent shooting. However, the major difference was the Wildcats' ability to dominate the backboard, pulling down 46 rebounds to the Catamounts' 29. No Catamount had over five rebounds, while Davidson had four players with at least six. Western was able to overcome those shortcomings by hitting 21-of-21 free throws, while Davidson was only 11-of-22 at the line.
Western Carolina (7-6, 1-1) was led by Cory Largent's 19 points. Freshman Kevin Martin was held scoreless in the first half, but hit 9-of-9 free throws in scoring 15 points.
Bree set the tone early for Davidson, hitting back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Wildcats a 10-2 lead. At the 14 minute mark of the first half, Peter Anderer hit a trey to give the Wildcats a 15-4 lead. The advantage would gradually build to as many as 24 (41-17) with 2:52 left in the half before Western went on a 12-0 run and cut the advantage to 41-29 at the break.
Bernard drained a 3-pointer for the Wildcats to start the second half. Davidson would keep a double-digit lead until Catamount freshman Alex Osipovitch hit a layup to make the score 56-48 with 11:12 left. Western's rally actually started with 12:01 left with Davidson leading 54-43. WCU went on a 16-6 run, spurred by nine points from Largent, over the next three minutes to make the score 60-57 with 8:39.
The teams went scoreless for nearly two minute until Bree hit a 3-pointer to give the Wildcats a 63-57 lead. Martin would score 12 of Western's next 14 points, including a 3-pointer with 1:38 left, to give the Catamounts a 71-70 lead --?their only advantage of the night. Bernard immediately answered to put Davidson back in control. Western had three chances in one possession to retake the lead, but Pearson came away with two key rebounds and the block to preserve the win.
Western Carolina will return to action on Monday (Jan. 7) when it hosts Furman. Game time is set for 7:00 pm at the RAC.
