Jan. 13, 2003

Final Stats

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Despite 15 points apiece from Jennifer Gardner, Yoneko Allen and Tiffany Hamm, the Catamounts fell at the hands of East Tennessee State, 82-74, Monday evening at the Memorial Center.

Adrienne Walker's sixteen points led all scorers as ETSU (4-10, 1-4 SoCon) snapped a four-game losing streak, including three straight losses on the road.

Western Carolina (10-4, 3-2 SoCon) jumped out to an early lead, before a lay up by Misty Copas gave the Lady Bucs their first lead of the contest just over two minutes into the game. ETSU, which shot over 57 percent from the floor in the first stanza, enjoyed a 12-point lead at one point in the first half before taking a 43-37 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

The Catamounts cut the ETSU lead back to one on a three-point basket by sophomore guard Melissa Ervin, but that was the closest Western Carolina would get.

Gardner earned her second straight double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, which ties her career-high, set just this past Saturday at the College of Charleston. The Catamounts boasted three other players scoring in double figures, including Allen and Hamm's 15 points, followed by Ervin, who netted 10.

In addition to Walker's effort, the Lady Bucs got 14 points off the bench from Jessica Lonon, while Copas netted 13 points. Kiya Verdell grabbed a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with her eight points, three blocked shots and three steals.

The Lady Cats return to action this Saturday as they host Georgia Southern at 2:00 pm in the Ramsey Center.