Dec. 29, 2003

Box Score

By: Tony Castleberry (Bozeman Daily Chronicle Sports Editor and 1996 WCU Graduate)

Bozeman, Mont. - Southeastern Louisiana did a fine job containing Kevin Martin the first and second half.

But the Lions couldn't stop Western Carolina's standout guard in overtime and the result was a 72-71 WCU overtime victory in the first game of the Holiday Stores/Big R Classic basketball tournament at Montana State University on Monday night.

Martin, the nation's leading scorer at 28.7 points per game, scored six of WCU's nine points in the OT, but his most important play was a pass, not a shot.

After Martin hit 1-of-2 free throws to tie it at 69-all with 1:05 left to play, the 6-7 junior drove to the basket and appeared ready to put up a shot. But instead of shooting it, Martin found Kyle Greathouse wide open for a 3-pointer on the baseline. Greathouse, one of three Catamounts in double-figure scoring with 18 points, canned the 3 and put WCU ahead 72-69.

SLU's Terry West nailed a turnaround to trim the lead to 72-71 with less than 20 seconds to play.

WCU forward David Berghoefer gave the Lions an opportunity to take the lead when he stepped on the baseline as he inbounded the ball after West's bucket.

Amir Abdur-Rahim missed a 3-pointer for Southeastern, but the Lions got yet another shot to go ahead when the rebound went out of bounds off WCU.

But Michael Gardener's 3-point shot missed at the buzzer and the Catamounts were able to extend their win streak to five in a row.

"This was one of the more bizarre games I've been a part of," WCU coach Steve Shurina said. "Neither team could get into a flow.

"(The Lions) played sell-out defense on Kevin," Shurina added. "They were in his proverbial jockstrap. But we've got other guys who can step up and make plays and they did."

Indeed. The teams combined for 48 fouls and there were 38 total turnovers, 23 by WCU. Martin was held to his second-lowest point total of the season, but still tied West for a game-high 19. Martin and West also led all players with seven rebounds. Berghoefer had 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting for the Catamounts.

WCU held a 32-25 advantage after a sloppy first half which saw the teams combine for 25 fouls. The Catamounts hit 7-of-10 free throws in the final five minutes and Corey Muirhead slammed home an alley-oop from James Johnson to give WCU its 7-point halftime cushion.

Martin and Berghoefer both had nine points at the half to lead the Catamounts while West had eight for the Lions.

Western Carolina will face host team Montana State, who defeated Morgan State after WCU's win over Southeastern Louisiana. The Catamounts and Bobcats are set to tipoff at approximately 8 pm (MT), which is 10 pm (ET), Tuesday night.