Jan. 7, 2003

Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Rans Brempong had a double-double and five blocked shots, but Western only shot 28.6 percent from the field in the second half as Reinhardt pulled out a 64-63 come-from-behind win Tuesday night at the Ramsey Activity Center. The Catamounts (4-8) and Eagles (5-7) were making up a game that was postponed this past December due to inclement weather.

Down 35-26 at the break, Reinhardt held Western scoreless for the first 4:25 in the second half to tie the game at 35. Brempong broke the scoreless string with a pair of free throws and capped a 13-6 run with a layup to give the Cats a 48-41 lead. However, the cushion would be the largest Western would enjoy in the period.

The Eagles took a brief two-point lead, 55-53, with 5:24 left on a Sam Allen 3-pointer. Western guard L.T. Lockett answered with a trey of his own and Brempong added a dunk to give WCU a 58-55 advantage. Reinhardt's Gathan White came back with a layup and Allen drained a 3-pointer with 3:15 left to give the Eagles a 60-58 lead, one they would not relinquish. Western had a chance to tie the game with 2:17 left, but only made one of two free throws to trail by one. Allen gave his Eagles a three-point lead once again with two free throw. He then grabbed a key rebound and dished out an assist to Reggie Taylor to seal the win.

In the first half, the game was tied at 10-10 with 13:22 left. Over the next 10 minutes, the Cats would take a 10-point lead, 31-21, on a Brempong layup. Brempong made one of two free throws with 1:32 left to make the score 35-26, but neither team scored the remainder of the period.

Western shot 48.3 percent in the first half and forced 12 Reinhardt turnovers. However, in the tables turned in the second period with the Eagles shooting 45.2 percent and forcing 12 WCU turnovers.

Reinhardt was led by Allen's game-high 24 points. He was 9-of-13 from the field, including four 3-pointers. White added 18 points and six boards, while Taylor scored 12 and grabbed six boards as well.

Brempong paced the Cats' offense with 16 points, while pulling down a season-high 12 rebounds. Freshman Corey Muirhead was a perfect 4-of-4 from the field and 2-of-2 at the line in scoring 10 points. He added six boards and three assists. Lockett also reached double figures in points with 15.

Western Carolina will return to league play on Saturday (Jan. 11) with a game at Davidson. The game, set to begin at 3 pm, will be the first of three straight road contests for the Cats.

Sophomore Kevin Martin, who has missed the last three games with a sprained ankle, is expected to return to the Catamount lineup at Davidson. Martin is the SoCon's leading scorer at 22.8 points per game.