Dec. 23, 2003

Final Stats

Fayetteville, Ark. - Kevin Martin, the nation's leading scorer, scored 33 points and pulled down six rebounds to lead Western Carolina to a 62-58 overtime win at Arkansas Monday night.

With the win, the Catamounts improve to 5-3 and get just their second win over a Southeastern Conference team in 28 chances, winning at Tennessee in 1993 for their other SEC victory. Earlier this season, Martin scored 44 points as WCU nearly won at Georgia. The Cats were trailing by just four with 44 seconds left, only to have the Bulldogs make 3-of-4 free throws down the stretch and hang on for the win.

Versus Arkansas, Martin raised his season scoring average to 28.7 points per game by scoring 33, which marked the 13th time in his career to score at least 30 in a game. The Zanesville, Ohio, native scored 26 after halftime, including eight in the overtime period.

Down two at halftime (22-20), Western went down four immediately to start the second half. However, Martin, who only scored seven points in the first 20 minutes, drained a 3-pointer to make it a one-point deficit. Three minutes later, Martin sank another trey to tie the contest at 28-28 with just over 16 minutes remaining. Neither team would score over the next two minutes until Catamount sophomore Corey Muirhead made a layup, giving WCU a two-point lead.

With 13:30 left, Arkansas' Eric Ferguson scored, tying the game once again (30-30). Again dry spell ended at the 11:44 with a Jared Outing layup to give WCU a 32-30 lead, on the Cats would keep until Jonathan Modica got a steal and a dunk with 40 seconds left to tie the game at 51-51, which would be the score when regulation ended.

Western led by as may as seven with two minutes left, but the Razorback would chip away at the lead thanks to improved pressure defense and WCU's struggles at the free throw line. Western was only 2-of-4 at the line and committed two turnovers inside the final 1:11. Arkansas' Kendrick Davis hit a huge three with 46 seconds left, setting up Modica's game-tying dunk.

Arkansas won the tip to start overtime, but Kyle Greathouse came up with a steal and was fouled when attempting a layup. The freshman calmly sank both from the charity stripe to put the Cats up two. Davis answered with a jumper to tie the game, marking the ninth tie in the game. An Arkansas foul sent Martin to the line. He only made 1-of-2 at the line. Then Martin got a defensive rebound and was sent to the line again. He drained both and the Cats would keep the lead the remainder of the contest. The Razorbacks cut their deficit to one with two free throws by Modica. Martin, who put on an impressive dribbling exhibition, pulled up at the free throw and sank a jumper in the lane.

Billy Pharis made it a one-point game again (58-57 with 1:32 left) with putback in the lane. Martin then sank a long-range, 3-pointer from beyond the top of the key, giving WCU a four-point lead and essentially sealing the game. Pharis same back with another jumper, but Corey Muirhead made one of two from the free throw line, providing the final 62-59 margin. Arkansas had three shots inside to the final 22 seconds, but came up empty one each attempt.

In the first half, Western and Arkansas both struggled. The Cats has seven turnovers and two assists, shooting just 28.6 percent from the field (8-of-28). The Razorbacks had six assists with 10 turnovers, while shooting 34.6 percent.

The Cats showed marked improvement over the final 25 minutes, shooting 40 percent in the second half and making all four shots in overtime. The Cats also held Arkansas to 27.3 percent shooting in the second half and overtime. Western, who ranks among the nation's top 10 in 3-point field goal percentage defense, will improve on that by holding the Razorback to just 19.2 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

Martin, who was 9-of-16 from the field and 4-of-7 from 3-point range, is now shooting 51.3 percent from the field and 47.9 percent from 3-point range. Martin also hit 11-of-14 from the line, as he scored at least 30 points in a game for the 13th time in his career. Martin moved up two spots in the WCU all-time scoring list, now with 1,366 and passing Bubba Wilson (1975-78) and Cory Largent (1999-2002). He also moved into a tie for six on the WCU career free throws made list, now with Jay Lassiter (1961-66)

Alex Osipovitch added seven points and five rebounds, while Muirhead and Lunzaya Nlandu, who had six rebounds, each scored six points.

The Razorbacks, who held a 51-38 rebounds advantage, were led by Ronnie Brewer, who had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Pharis added 10, while Rashard Sullivan had a game-high 12 rebounds.

Western Carolina will return to action with a two-day tournament at Montana State Dec. 29-30. The Cats will play Southeastern Louisiana on the 29th at 7:30 pm (ET) and either Montana State or Morgan State on the 30th at a time to be determined.