Nov. 22, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina sophomore Kevin Martin set a Ramsey Center record with a career-high 46 points in the Cats' 2002-03 season opener. However, visiting Coastal Carolina (1-0) hit four free throws inside the final minute to pull out a 77-72 victory Friday night.

Martin's 46 points is the seventh-best, single-game effort in WCU history. The Zanesville, Ohio, native drained 14-of-22 shots from the field, including 4-of-8 from 3-point range, and was a perfect 14-of-14 at the line. In addition to setting a Ramsey Center record in points, breaking Robert Gaines' 44 in 1992 versus Marshall, Martin tied a the Western Carolina Ramsey Center record by making 14 field goals. (UNC Asheville's Van Wilkens holds the Ramsey Center record by all players by making 15 field goals in the RAC in 1986.)

Western (0-1) jumped out to a commanding 17-0 lead to start the game with Coastal's first points coming at the 14:39 mark. The Chanticleers then went on an impressive run, tying the game at 30-30 with 4:07 left in the first half. Tony Darden connected on a pair of free throws with just under four minutes before the break for Coastal's first lead. The teams traded baskets the remainder of the half and went into their locker rooms with the score tied at 36-36 after 20 minutes.

Martin put the Cats up early in the second half, but the Chants controlled the contest the first 10 minutes of the second half, leading by seven (55-48) with 10:44 left in the game. From that point, Martin scored eight of WCU's next 11 points to give the Cats a one point lead (61-60) with 8:02 remaining. With 6:24 left, Martin drained a 3-pointer to give his team a 66-64 lead, one the Cats would keep until 56 seconds were left.

Down one, Darden made two free throws to give the Chants a 73-72 advantage. The senior forward would then give his team a three-point lead on a layup with eight seconds left. Western's final shot came up short and Torrey Butler provided the final 77-72 margin by making two free throws with less than one second left in the contest.

?With the injuries to juniors Rans Brempong and Emre Atsur and having just one senior in Kori Hatcher, we had eight first and second-year players on the court most of the night,? said WCU head coach Steve Shurina. ?We gave a good effort, but Coastal is a veteran team who played well tonight. They beat us on the boards. We can not give up 19 offensive rebounds in any game and expect to win.?

In regards to Martin's performance, Shurina said, ?He is a special player. They did all they could to try to stop him tonight and he still scored 46.?

Butler led the Chanticleers with 21 points and nine rebounds. He was joined in double figures by Darden with 15, while Derrick Robinson and Mihai Raducanu each scored 10. Coastal held a 38-26 advantage on the boards.

Western Carolina will return to action tomorrow night (Nov. 23) to host Toccoa Falls. Game time is set for 7:00 pm in the RAC.