Feb. 9, 2002

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - All five Catamount starters scored in double figures as Western Carolina defeated Georgia Southern, 83-75, Saturday afternoon at the Ramsey Activity Center.

With the win, Western Carolina improves to 14-9 overall, 6-8 in the Southern Conference and assures itself of a winning season. Also, the 14 wins is the most by the Catamounts since posting a 17-10 mark in 1982-83 - Western's only other season to record a winning record since becoming a NCAA Division I program in 1981-82. The Catamounts also complete the regular-season sweep of Georgia Southern (10-12, 7-7 SoCon), who held a 20-2 advantage in the school's all-time series prior to this season.

It was Western's three Georgia natives that did the most damage versus the Lady Eagles. Senior Laura Echols (Conyers, Ga.) led all scorers with 24 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Jennifer Gardner (Norcross, Ga.) recorded a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Since entering the starting lineup for WCU (eight games), Gardner has had four double-figure rebounding efforts and three double-doubles. Fellow freshman Ki-Ki Glass (College Park, Ga.) also turned in a double-double, posting career highs in points (12) and assists (10). She was 2-of-2 from the field, including a 3-pointer, and 7-of-7 at the line. Glass additionally entered the WCU single-season assist list, handing out 97 for the season.

Gardner converted an old-fashion 3-point play on WCU's first possession to get the Cats off to a good start. A 3-pointer by sophomore Yoneko Allen, a jumper sophomore Janetta Heggins and a layup by Gardner gave Western a six-point lead (10-4) at the 16:49 mark of the first half. Ali Rousseau answered with a 3-pointer, but the Cats were able to once again build it advantage to six, which marked the largest lead in the period. Georgia Southern went on a 6-0 run to tie the game at 14 with 11 minutes to play. The lead changed several times over the next 10 minutes and the score was tied at 30 with 59 second before the break. Western's Melissa Ervin, who was shooting free throws for an injured Gardner, sank a pair at the line with 36 seconds left to give WCU a 32-30 advantage at the break.

Rousseau made a layup for the Eagles to start the second half to tie the contest. It would be one of four ties in the first six and a half minutes of the period. With the game knotted at 47, Gardner hit a short jumper to give WCU a the lead, one the Cats would not relinquish the remainder of the game.

Georgia Southern pulled to within one on two occasions - the last being 63-62 with six minutes to play. The Catamounts hit 8-of-10 free throws inside the final two minutes to seal the victory.

Western only got two points from its bench - a layup by Miranda Long. However, Allen scored 15 points, making 4-of-9 3-pointers, and Heggins contributed 12 points.

Georgia Southern had four players score in double figures. Rousseau led the way with 15 points, followed by Sarah Davis (11), Adrienne Early (11) and Jessica Everrett. The 11 points by Early was a career high as she was 3-of-3 from the field and 5-of-6 at the line.

Western Carolina will play at East Tennessee State on Monday. Game time is set for 7:00 pm.