Dec. 2, 2002

Final Stats

Asheville, N.C. - The Western Carolina women's hoops team downed the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, 71-55, in game one of the Mountain Hoops Classic. With the win, the Catamounts improve to 4-1 on the season, while UNCA falls to 1-2.

Western took a commanding 25-7 lead in the first half, sparked by Jennifer Gardner with four points, four rebounds and two steals and two 3-pointers from Ki-Ki Glass in the first 10 minutes of the half. However, the Bulldogs answered with an 11-0 run before WCU scored another basket. The half ended on a running layup by WCU's Shaketia Barnes to beat the buzzer and take a 37-25 Catamount lead into the locker room.

The Lady Cats committed three turnovers early in the second half and the Bulldogs capitalized on one of them as Kristal Hood scored a layup to squeeze Western's lead to 10 at 37-27. However, the Catamounts bounced back as Yoneko Allen sank a three on the other end a minute and a half later.

UNCA brought the score within six points as Tonisha Jackson made two free throws to close in on Western, 61-55, but that's all the Cats would allow them to score. WCU recorded 10 more points for the final score of 71-55.

Tiffany Hamm led the Cats in scoring for the fourth time this year with 16 points and four rebounds. Jennifer Gardner started for the first time this season and posted 12 points for Western and led WCU in rebounds with eight. Allen posted a season-high four assists, adding nine points for the night.

For Asheville, Hood led all scorers with 19 points, adding eight rebounds. Jackson also scored in double figures with 13 and Shatell Waiters matched Hood's rebound total with eight.

Western Carolina is set to host Radford University in a Thursday matinee. The two teams tip off at noon in the Ramsey Center for Education Day at the RAC.