Feb. 19, 2002

Stats

BOONE, N.C. - Western Carolina defeated Appalachian State to put them at 16-10 (8-9) for the season, one win shy of their best season since 1982-83 when the Catamounts went 17-10. Laura Echols turned in a team-leading performance for the Catamounts with 18 points and two steals.

The game got off to a slow start, with neither team able to establish a solid offensive output in the first 10 minutes of play. At the 10:00 mark the score was tied at 10 apiece before a lay-up and a free throw by Michelle Conklin put the Mountaineers up by three. Control seesawed, and the game was tied three times before Western Carolina went on a 10-0 run with less than six minutes left in the half. ASU fought back, but the Catamounts held on, clutching the 42-26 advantage going into the break.

Appalachian fought their way back into the game after the half, going on a 6-0 run in the first few minutes to cut the Western lead to 10. But Western pulled the lead back to 16 thanks to a jumper by Echols with 10 minutes left in the game. The Catamounts held around a 10-point lead throughout the rest of the game.

Three Western players scored in double figures in the contest including Echols' 18 points. Melissa Ervin had 12 and Jennifer Gardner added 14, due in large part to her perfect 9-of-9 showing at the charity stripe. Gardner was also the lone double-double performer in the game by grabbing 13 rebounds.

Leading scorers for the Mountaineers were Tiffani Johnson who contributed nine points, two assists, and a steal, and Joanie White, who had nine points and eight rebounds.

Western Carolina plays in their final game of the regular season on Saturday, February 23, as they host UNC Greensboro. The game will mark senior night for two of the Lady Catamounts. Center, Laura Echols and guard, Katie Scott will be honored prior to tip-off at 2 p.m.