Feb. 9, 2002

Box Score

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina's Kevin Martin, who entered the game 14th in the nation in scoring, and VMI's Jason Conley, the nation's leading scorer, each put on an offensive exhibition Saturday night at the Ramsey Activity Center, one which the visiting Keydets won 97-91 in overtime.

VMI improves to 9-14 overall and 4-8 in the SoCon. Western Carolina falls to 11-12 overall, 5-7 in the SoCon and 1-3 in overtime contests this season.

Conley scored 42 points to tie a VMI single-game record and establish a Ramsey Center record by an opponent. He additionally set the tone in overtime, scoring seven points and grabbing four rebounds in the extra five minutes. Conley was 14-of-22 from the floor, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range, and 10-of-13 from the line. He added nine rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Martin made his first six shots of the game, including three from beyond the arc, and finished with 38 points on 10-of-15 shooting from the floor, including 6-of-9 from long range, and 12-of-14 from the line. He was the only Catamount to score in double figures, while sophomore Rans Brempong pulled down 10 boards.

VMI scored the first points of the game and held the lead until Martin drained a 3-pointer with 30 seconds left to give WCU a 76-74 advantage. Radee Skipworth hit a short jumper with eight seconds left to tie the game at 76. Kori Hatcher missed a 3-pointer as time expired to force overtime.

In overtime, VMI opened with a 9-2 run, thanks to 3-pointers by Conley and Ben Rand. The Keydets were 7-of-8 from the field after regulation, while Western was just 6-of-13. However, VMI was just 5-of-10 at the line in overtime to keep Western close. The Cats trailed by just four (92-88) with 28 seconds left. Daron Pressley hit 1-of-2 free throws to put VMI up five. A Western turnover led to a Conley layup and, after a failed 3-pointer by Casey Rogers, Skipworth had a break-away dunk to close out the game.

The Keydets looked to have the game in control, building on their 41-34 halftime advantage to lead by 17 (68-51) with 10:08 left in the second half. At that point, Western's Martin and Hatcher sparked a 25-6 run, capped by Martin's trey with 30 seconds left. Martin scored 13 in the run, while Hatcher added five. The Catamounts were also aided in their run by VMI's troubles at the free throw line, as the Keydets were 6-of-12 in the second half.

Four other Keydets scored in double figures, including Skipworth (15), Rand (12), Tim Allmond (11) and Sam Mielnik (10). Zach Batte pulled down 10 boards to help VMI out-rebound WCU, 45-34.

Western Carolina returns to action Monday (Feb. 11) when it hosts the College of Charleston for Senior Night. The game will be televised by Charter/Comcast Sports Southeast and is set to start at 7:00 pm.