Nov. 24, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's basketball team gained win number two for the season as they defeated High Point, 72-47, in the team's home opener in the Ramsey Center Sunday afternoon.

Western went into halftime down a point to the Panthers, 28-27. High Point's Misty Brockman led the way for the Panthers in the half with 11 points. Both teams were plagued by turnovers to start the game as five were committed by the two teams before junior Tiffany Hamm opened scoring with a quick jumper off an assist by Ki-Ki Glass. Hamm and sophomore Jennifer Gardner led the Cats with eight points apiece in the first period.

The Catamounts opened the second half on fire as junior Yoneko Allen sank a 3-pointer, after getting the assist by Janetta Heggins, to take the lead. Brockman answered with a 3-pointer of her own to give the lead back to the Panthers, 31-30. WCU freshman Kala Greene put up a jumper on the other end to reclaim the lead for Western and the Catamounts would not relinquish the lead again in the game as WCU went on a 28-4 run. In that stretch, junior Christy Blackwell grabbed all three of her steals for the night, which moved her into 10th place on WCU's career steals list with 164. The Panthers could not regain any momentum as Western Carolina put the game away for a final score of 72-47.

Gardner led all scorers with 16 points, including going an impressive 10-of-11 from the free throw line. Greene contributed 13 points for the Cats, adding five rebounds, while Hamm had 12 points and six rebounds. Heggins led WCU in rebounds with seven.

Brockman led the Panthers with 14 points, adding four rebounds and two steals. Gina Rosser and Katie O'Dell both had six rebounds to lead the team.

The Catamounts travel to Moraga, Calif., next to play in the St. Mary's Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov. 29-30. High Point is set to host Gardner-Webb in the team's home opener on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 7 pm.