Nov. 25, 2003

Final Stats

Blacksburg, Va. - Virginia Tech held a 39-23 rebound advantage, but no rebound was as important as Mykhael Lattimore's, who tapped in the game winner as time expired to lead the Hokies to a 61-59 victory over Western Carolina Tuesday night at Cassell Coliseum.

Western was led by Kevin Martin, who scored a game high 24 points, making 5-of-12 shots from the field and 3-of-6 from 3-point range. He also drained all 11 free throws he attempted. Not only did the All-American candidate lead the Cats in scoring, but he pulled down six rebounds with two steals.

The Hokies looked to be in position to ice the game with with 48 seconds left. After a missed Catamount shot and the Hokies up two, Virginia Tech got the rebound and called timeout. With eight seconds left, Western's Terrence Woodyard came up with a steal and passed the ball to Martin, who was fouled by Bryant Matthews with seven seconds left. Martin calmly sank both free throws, knotting the game at 59.

Jamon Gordon raced down the court and attempted the game winner. His shot was hard off the backboard, which Lattimore tipped in just before the final buzzer sounded.

The Catamounts took a 27-22 lead at the break. Western shot 43.9 percent from the field, holding the Hokies to just 26.9 percent shooting. Neither team were particularly sound from the free throw line, the Cats making just 5-of-11 and the Hokies making just 7-of-14.

Virginia Tech, who had trailed from the beginning, found its rhythm to start the second half, tying the game at 29-29 with 16:35 remaining. The Hokies took their first lead, 33-31, with 13:02 left. However, the Cats immediately answered to once again tie the contest at 33.

The Hokies would lead by as many as eight, after a 3-pointer by Markus Sailes with 6:55 left. Woodyard answered with a trey of his own. A layup by David Berghoefer, follwed by a dunk and a finger roll by Muirhead made it a three point game at the 3:21 mark. The Cats would make it a one-point game (57-56 at 2:33) after a pair of free throws by Kyle Greathouse. Woodyard would sink one of two from the charity stripe to tie the game with 2:07 left.

Zabian Dowdell hit a jumper with 1:04 left, making the score 59-57 and setting up the final flurry of activity.

Berghoefer and Muirhead joined Martin in double figures for the Cats. Berghoefer scored 11 on 5-of-7 shooting, while Muirhead scored 10 on 5-of-6 shooting. Woodyard led the Western with seven rebounds.

Matthews led the Hokies with 22 points. He was only 5-of-16 from the field, but sank 11-of-13 free throws. Matthews added eight rebounds before fouling out. Dowdell scored 14 with five rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Western Carolina will return to action Saturday (Nov. 29). The Catamounts will play their first home game of the 2003-04 season, hosting Milligan at 7 pm.