Dec. 4, 2003
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. - Despite an attempted comeback from Western Carolina, Clemson held off the Catamounts in the final minutes for the 80-71 win. With the loss, Western falls to 1-4 on the season, while the Tigers improve to 4-1 overall.
Clemson dominated the first half of the ballgame, taking a 41-27 lead into the lockerroom. Led by Carrie Whitehurst, the Tigers seemed to control both ends of the court, forcing nine Catamount turnovers and outrebounding WCU, 23-16. Clemson jumped out to take an early 9-0 lead, but the Cats battled back. Two made free throws by senior Tiffany Hamm brought Western to within five points at 14-9, but that's as close as they would get in the half. A 3-pointer by Whitehurst gave the Tigers the 14 point advantage to end the period.
The visitors immediately struck in the second half with a steal by Lakeia Stokes who laid it in on the other end to stretch Clemson's lead to 16. The Catamounts began their comeback after junior Shaketia Barnes subbed in with the score 55-40. The guard drove hard to the basket, scored and drew the foul, sparking a 12-0 run by Western. After a pair of made free throws by Barnes, two consecutive treys by senior Yoneko Allen and two free throws from senior Christy Blackwell, the Tigers held their slimmest lead since the start of the first half at 55-52.
Western closed to within three points once more at 60-57 on two more free throws from Blackwell, but Clemson slowly began to pull away behind the offensive efforts of Stokes and Maggie Slosser. It was a six-point ballgame at 74-68 with less than a minute to go, but fouls and a turnover, in addition to free throws on the other end, kept the game out of reach of the Catamounts. Julie Aderhold gave Clemson its final two points on foul shots.
The Cats were led by Allen with 16 points, connecting on 4-of-8 from downtown, which breaks the WCU record for career 3-pointers made (she now has 127 all-time). She also added 4-of-4 from the charity stripe. Hamm, who was recognized in a pregame ceremony for becoming the seventh Lady Catamount to ever record 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in her career, netted 14 points in the game, adding six boards, three assists and two steals. Blackwell also scored in double figures for Western with 10 points, while junior Jennifer Gardner led the team with eight rebounds.
Aderhold led the Tigers with a game-high 22 points, while Slosser grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. Slosser added 13 points and Whitehurst had 17. Clemson outrebounded WCU, 41-38, and force 16 Catamount turnovers in the game. CU shot 45.2 percent, while Western shot 38.6 percent from the field.
The Catamounts continue their home stand as they host UNC Asheville in the fourth annual Mountain Hoops Classic. The game, set to tip-off at 4:00 pm, is the first of a doubleheader. WCU's men's team will square off against the Bulldogs immediately after the women's game at 7:00 pm in the RAC.
