Nov. 29, 2003

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - All-American candidate Kevin Martin scored a game-high 22 points, leading five Catamounts in double figures, as Western Carolina defeated Milligan College, 91-55, Saturday night at the Ramsey Activity Center. Western Carolina, playing its 2003-04 home opener, improves to 1-2, while the Buffaloes fall to 2-4.

In addition to Martin's 22 points, Catamount sophomore David Berghoefer recorded his second career double-double with 17 points (two points shy of his career high) and 11 rebounds. His 11 boards helped the Cats own a 51-34 rebound advantage in the contest. Corey Muirhead, Terrence Woodyard and Kyle Greathouse each scored 10 points to round out those in double figures for the Cats.

Western's Woodyard hit a back-door layup 13 seconds into the game and the Catamounts never trailed or had the game tied the rest of the way. Nate Tincher hit a jumper with 9:04 left in the first half to make it an eight point game (20-12). However, Martin scored five straight to spark a 17-2 run, making it a 23-point Catamount lead (37-14) with 3:21 left before intermission. The Buffaloes cut their deficit to 19 (41-22) with 2:05 left, but that is as close as Milligan would get the remainder of the evening. Western closed the first half with Jared Outing scoring four points, Berghoefer scoring two and Emre Atsur draining a 3-pointer with six second left for the 50-24 halftime lead.

Western shot 52.6 percent from the field in the first half, holding Milligan to just 30.3 percent shooting. For the game, Western made 51.6 percent of its shots with 18 assists, while the Buffaloes shot just 31.3 percent.

In the second half, Western and Milligan played even through the first eight minutes. However, a steal and dunk by Martin at the 11:33 mark was the first of seven straight points for the Zanesville, Ohio, native, giving the Cats a 33-point advantage (71-38) with 10:08 left. Western closed the game by holding the Buffaloes to just two points over the final 3:20. A 3-pointer by Greathouse with 48 seconds remaining provided the final 91-55 margin.

Martin hit 8-of-15 shots from the field in scoring his 22 points, adding five rebounds and two steals. Berghoefer was 8-of-13 from the field, getting seven of his 11 boards on the defensive end. Woodyard added seven rebounds and four assists to his 10 points. Outing also pulled down seven boards, scoring seven points.

Michael Morrell led Milligan with 21 points, making 9-of-16 from the field and 2-of-4 from 3-point range.

Western Carolina will return to action Tuesday, Dec. 2, versus High Point. Tip off is set for 7 pm at the Ramsey Activity Center.