Jan. 7, 2004
Final Stats
Greenville, S.C. - Western Carolina pulled to withing five points with just under two minutes to go in the game, but couldn't put the ball in the net as Furman took a 69-57 decision over WCU in Timmons Arena Wednesday night in Southern Conference action. It was the first time since the 2001-02 season that the Catamounts fell to the Paladins.
The first period was highlighted by three Laney Harris three-pointers and a three-for-three performance from the field for Orion Wake. Western Carolina took its first lead at the 15:39 mark on a Tiffany Hamm field goal, and held a six-point advantage, 31-25 at the 5:00 mark. Harris hit a three-pointer at 3:58 to cut the advantage to three, then connected again at the 3:15 mark to tie the game at 31. Western had three chances to score on the next possesion, but a Kim Lawrence block and a Jen Nadalin rebound returned possession to Furman with 2:17 left in the period, and a Lawrence jumper gave the Lady Paladins their first lead since 15:39. With 40 seconds left on the clock Hamm scored her 15th point of the game and the teams entered the halftime locker room knotted at 33.
Furman started the second half with a 23-4 run and stretched its advantage to as many as 17 with 8:49 left in the game. The Catamounts chipped away at the Lady Paladin lead and reduced it to nine, 61-52, with 3:44 left in the half, but Furman's tenacious defense kept the ball out of Hamm's hands and forced WCU to take tough shots, resulting in the 69-57 Furman victory. In the second period Hamm scored just one point and ended the game as the only Catamount in double figures, scoring 16 points with 10 rebounds.
Furman, meanwhile, was paced by Katie Roach's 13 points, while Laney Harris added 12. Deshara Shealey and Wake each chipped in 10, while Wake also pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds, keying Furman's 43-34 advantage on the boards. Lawrence scored eight on the night.
With the win, Furman improves to 6-6 overall and 3-2 in the Southern Conference, while Western Carolina falls to 4-8 overall and 3-2 in the league. The Catamounts host Chattanooga in the team's next match-up. Game time is set for 4:00 pm this Saturday at the RAC. It is the first game of a double-header slated for the day as the men play host to Elon at 7:00. Admission to both games is free in recognition of "Pack the RAC" night.
