Dec. 4, 2004

Final Stats

Asheville, N.C. - Western Carolina senior Rans Brempong had a career-high 28 points, adding 10 rebounds and five blocked shot, but UNC Asheville (1-4) had five players score in double figures as the Bulldogs downed the Catamounts (3-6) Saturday afternoon in the fifth annual Mountain Hoops Classic at the Asheville Civic Center.

The Bulldogs led from start to finish and holding off several Catamount runs in the second half. UNCA was 9-of-13 from the 3-point line in the first half for a school-record 69 percent for a half to take a 21-point lead (51-30) at the break.

The Catamounts had a 14-2 run to start the second half and would eventually cut its deficit to six (67-61) with 8:11 to go. UNCA built its advantage back to 10 two minutes later only to have Western trim the Bulldog lead to six once again (71-65) with 3:49 remaining.

However with less than a minute to go, Bulldog Bryan McCullough got a steal to start fast break layup by K.J. Garland. On the play, Western was called for an intentional foul, allowing Garland to sink two free throws and put the game out of reach. Terrence Woodyard added an put back with 35 second left to provide the final 14-point margin.

Asheville was led by K.J Garland's season-high 16 points, while Joseph Barber finished with 15 points before fouling out with eight minutes left. Steve Rush added 14 points. The sophomore guard was 4-of-8 from the 3-point line. Chad Mohn enjoyed the first double-double of his career with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Bryan McCullough chipped in 13 points and had seven rebounds plus seven assists.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half as they scored the first nine points of the game to lead 9-0. UNCA got 15 points from Barber and 12 from Rush to roar to a 51-30 halftime lead. Asheville out-rebounded WCU, 25-9 in the opening half, shot 58.6 percent from the field (17-of-29) and was 8-of-9 from the free throw line. Brempong kept the Cats in the game with 14 points and five rebounds.

The Bulldogs finished the game, shooting 48.3 percent (28-of-58) from the field and 52.4 percent from the 3-point line (11-of-21). Asheville was 18-of-23 from the free throw line. WCU shot 43.3 percent from the field (26-of-60) but had a tough time from beyond the arc, shooting 2-of-13 for 15.4 percent.

Western Carolina returns to action Tuesday (Dec. 7), hosting East Carolina at 7 p.m.