Dec 18, 2002

Box Score

By MATT STANMYRE
Associated Press Writer

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -Kevin Pittsnogle had 17 points and Tyrone Sally added 15 as West Virginia defeated Western Carolina 82-55 Wednesday for its fifth straight victory.

West Virginia (6-1), coming off a 79-69 victory over Wofford Saturday, made 19-of-28 first half shots, but cooled off in the second, making 14-of-30.

Western Carolina (3-4), coming off a 96-81 win over North Greenville Tuesday, made just 21-of-58 shots for the game and scored only 16 first half points. Western Carolina had trouble handling West Virginia's man-to-man defense and committed 21 turnovers, 14 of which came in the first half.

After taking a 49-16 halftime lead, West Virginia came out for the second half and committed five turnovers in the first eight minutes. Western, who out-scored the Mountaineers 39-33 in the second frame, shot 47.1 percent from the field over the final 20 minutes after shooting just 20.8 percent in the first half.

Western Carolina doubled its first half scoring output 7:22 into the second half. The Catamounts cut the West Virginia lead to 26 on a jumper by Kori Hatcher with 12:07 remaining, but would get no closer.

Kevin Martin led Western Carolina with 20 points and Terrence Woodyard had 11.

Drew Schifino scored 13 points for West Virginia and Jo Herber and Chaz Briggs added 12 apiece.

Western Carolina will travel across the state of West Viriginia to face former Southern COnference foe Marshall in Huntington. Tip off is set for 7:30 on Friday (Dec. 20).