Dec. 6, 2003
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. - Despite a strong 8-0 run to open the game, Western Carolina couldn't hold on to the lead as UNC Asheville defeated the Catamounts, 51-41, in the fourth annual Mountain Hoops Classic. With the loss, Western falls to 1-5 on the season, while the Bulldogs picked up their school record fourth straight win and improve to 4-2 overall.
It was a classic battle between Cats and Dogs in the first half as WCU opened scoring with an 8-0 run. However, it didn't take long for UNCA to put together a 17-2 run of its own for the Bulldogs' biggest lead of the half at 17-10. Western battled back, sparked by seven points from senior Tiffany Hamm and scoring from four other Catamounts to knot the score at 24 apiece heading into halftime.
Lindsey Roche opened scoring in the second period to help Asheville regain the lead, but a free throw by freshman Erin May and a layup by junior Lori Tanner gave the Cats their second advantage of the game. The lead changed hands two more times on consecutive trips down the court before a 3-pointer by Velinda Vuncannon put the Bulldogs up for good at 31-29 with 14:51 left on the clock. UNCA quickly pulled away and led by as many as 11 points on three occasions, the last time coming after consecutive made free throws by Andrea Clapp before a media timeout at 5:56.
The Catamounts could only get as close as seven points to Asheville, once a trey by junior Ki-Ki Glass, her first of the year, and the second time on a jumper by Hamm with 43 ticks left in the game. With WCU forced to foul in the final minute, the Dogs connected on 3-of-4 from the line to end the game with the score 51-41.
Western Carolina shot a season-low 30.8 percent from the field, while Asheville connected on 19-of-49 for a 38.8 shot percentage. UNCA held a slight 38-35 advantage on the boards and forced 19 Catamount turnovers, while committing 18 of their own.
The Cats were led by Jennifer Gardner's first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Hamm had nine points and six boards, while senior Christy Blackwell had a team-high three assists, adding four points, two boards and two steals. Glass had a game-high four steals with five points and an assist. Erin May blocked a career-high two Bulldog shots.
Asheville was led by Leslie Young's 10 points. No UNCA players had double figure rebounds, although three players recorded six boards in the game. Vuncannon dished out a game-high six assists, while four players had two steals each.
The Catamounts have a break next week for final exams and return to the court Dec. 17 as the team travels to Hamm's home state of Kentucky to take on EKU. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.
