Feb. 15, 2003

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Lady Catamounts found themselves trailing East Tennessee State 12-2 to start the game, but Western Carolina pulled together for a total team effort to give the Cats an 82-71 victory over the Bucs. The win gives WCU a 17-6 overall record, which ties its total wins from last season. It also gives the team a 10-4 mark in the SoCon, one more conference win than Western had in 2001-02. ETSU falls to 8-15 and 5-9 in the league.

"We are excited to be playing to our expectations," said WCU head coach Beth Dunkenberger. "Our goal is to compete for a SoCon championship and through our consistent efforts, we've put ourselves in a good position now with this 10th conference win."

Western Carolina found itself down 12-2 to start the game, but the Cats came back on a 15-3 run sparked by 3-point shooting from three different Catamount players to take the 17-15 lead. The Bucs tied the score at 17-all on two made free throws by Tiffani Mayes. WCU's Tiffany Hamm responded with a trey on the other end of the court to give Western the lead for good in the game. WCU went into halftime with a 47-42 lead on a jumper by Hamm, who recorded 13 points in the first stanza.

East Tennessee brought the Cats' lead to within one on a steal and a jumper by Lauren Trantham, making the score 48-47. Hamm answered with a jumper for WCU, but Trantham again made the two-point play to bring Western's margin to one. However, the Catamounts took off on an 11-2 run and led by as many as 10 before the Bucs sparked a comeback. ETSU brought Western's lead to just two after a lay-up by Jessica Lonon at 7:35, making the score 67-65. A jumper by Janetta Heggins sent the Cats on a final 14-5 run to end the game with a score of 82-71.

"We were a very smart and determined team today," Dunkenberger said. "They make each other better, as evidenced by our 26 assists."

Western Carolina was led by Hamm with 17 points and nine rebounds, adding three assists and two key blocks in the game, a new season-high. Jennifer Gardner and Yoneko Allen posted 12 points apiece and Kala Greene added 10 points and eight rebounds. Christy Blackwell dished out a season-high eight assists, adding eight points, while Heggins tied a career-high six assists, adding six points.

The Bucs were led by Kiya Verdell and Trantham, each with 18 points. Trantham added 12 rebounds for the only double-double in the game, while Verdell had a team-high three of ETSU's five blocks. B.J. Banjo grabbed a game-high five steals, adding nine points.

This marks the sixth straight year Western has split regular-season games with ETSU and the fifth straight year the Catamounts have defeated the Bucs in Cullowhee.

Western Carolina hosts the College of Charleston this Monday, Feb. 17, at 7:00 pm in the RAC, while ETSU hosts UNC Greensboro on Monday at 7:00 as well.