Dec. 31, 2002

Final Stats

Rosemont, Ill. - Western Carolina freshman L.T. Lockett scored a season-high 23 points, all in the second half, but DePaul had four players in double figures and used a 23-5 run to defeat the Catamounts, 82-62, on Tuesday at the Allstate Arena.

DePaul improved to 7-2 overall while the Catamounts, who played without leading scorer Kevin Martin, dropped to 3-7. Martin sprained his ankle during Monday night's practice and will have his status re-evaluated upon his arrival in Cullowhee.

Western Carolina hung with DePaul for the game's first eight minutes and led 9-8 with 12:38 remaining in the first half before the Blue Demons blew the game wide open with a 23-5 run and cruised to a 39-18 halftime lead.

The second half was all DePaul as the lead grew to as much as 35 at 60-25 with 12:08 remaining before the Blue Demons opened the bench.

Quemont Greer, Sam Hoskin and Joe Tulley each had 17 points for the Blue Demons while Delonte Holland added 11.

Lockett was the only Catamount to reach double figures, shooting 8-of-12 from the field and 4-of-5 from 3-point range. Brian Gaither, who played 17 second-half minutes, led the Cats with eight rebounds, adding six points on a pair of 3-pointers.

Western only shot 27.6 percent from the field in the first half with three assists and eight turnovers. In the second half - playing mostly Lockett, Gaither, James Johnson, Rans Brempong and Jared Outing - the Cats shot 56.7 percent from the field with 10 assists versus eight turnovers.

Western Carolina will open the Southern Conference portion of its schedule versus VMI on Jan. 5 (Sunday). The game will be the annual "Pack the RAC" contest in Cullowhee. Tip-off is set for 3 pm and admission is free.