Feb. 22, 2003

Final Stats

Greensboro, N.C. - Western Carolina junior Yoneko Allen sank five 3-pointers and recorded 19 points to lead the Lady Catamounts past UNC Greensboro, 64-54, Saturday afternoon. With the win, WCU improves to 19-6 overall and 12-4 in the SoCon, completing the season sweep of the Spartans. UNCG drops to 12-12, 8-8 with the loss.

The Catamounts roared out of the gate. Western Carolina grabbed an early nine-point lead, 11-2, due in large part to a 3-point assault from Allen. The Catamounts' guard buried three consecutive 3-pointers in the first four minutes.

After the Spartans climbed back within five points, 15-10, Western Carolina road the hot shooting of freshman Kala Greene. Greene scored 11 of the Catamounts' 13 points over a stretch of 10 minutes. The Catamounts pushed the lead to as many as 10 points, but UNCG managed to cut the deficit to just five points, 30-25, at the half.

Trailing from the opening tip, UNCG grabbed its first lead of the game, 47-46, on a Nicole Murray jumper with 5:05 remaining. The bucket capped an 8-0 spurt. The Spartans' lead lasted all of one minute.

The Catamounts answered with an 11-2 run to take command, 57-49, with just 53-seconds left. Allen added a pair of 3-pointers in the game-sealing burst, her fourth and fifth of the afternoon. The Spartans did get back within five points, 57-52, following Jacinda Lambert's 3-pointer with 45 second left, but Western Carolina hit 7-of-8 from the free throw line in the final minute.

Allen finished 7-for-11 from the field and 5-for-8 from 3-point territory, tying a season-high, while Greene was 5-for-8 from the floor and 6-of-6 from the charity stripe to record a career-high 17 points. Greene, who has averaged 7.7 ppg on the season, has scored 13 and 17 points, respectively, against UNCG this season.

UNCG out-rebounded the Catamounts, 47-28, and grabbed 21 off the offensive glass, but were not able to overcome 23 turnovers, a major differential from the free throw line and poor shooting from the field.

Western Carolina was 16-of-20 from the charity stripe, while the Spartans were just 5-of-6. UNCG was also limited to 34.3% (23-for-67) from the floor and a season worst 16.7% (3-for-18) from 3-point land. The Catamounts were 43.8% (21-for-48) from the field and 6-for-12 from behind the 3-point arc.

Murray scored 16 points, grabbed four rebounds, dished out three assists and picked up three steals. Lambert added 11 points, but was 4-for-11 from the field and 2-for-5 from 3-point territory. Lindsey Reed registered her third career double-double, scoring 10 points and collecting a career-high 15 boards. Amanda Eaton, 0-for-9 from the field and 0-for-6 from 3-point land, failed to score for the first time this season.

Western Carolina will finish the remaining two games of the season at home, hosting Appalachian State on Tuesday, Feb. 25, at noon. Tuesday is Education Day at the RAC, which was rescheduled from December. The Catamounts' final regular-season game is set for Saturday, March 1, in the first game of a double header that day. Tip-off is set for 4:00 pm against Furman.