Feb. 2, 2004

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - All-America candidate and the nation's leading Kevin Martin had game highs with 34 points and six rebounds, while Emre Atsur added 16 points, as Western Carolina defeated Piedmont, 94-43, Monday night at the Ramsey Activity Center. The Catamounts, playing the Lions for the first time since 1972, improved to 37-5 all-time versus Piedmont and 11-9 on the season. The Lions fall to 6-13.

Martin was 9-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-6 from 3-point range, and 12-of-13 from the free throw line in scoring his 34 points. For Martin, who moves to sixth on the WCU all-time scoring list with 1,680 career points, it marked the 17th time in his career and the seventh time this season he has scored over 30 points in game. The Zanesville, Ohio, native added five steals and four assists to go along with his six boards.

Atsur (Istanbul, Turkey) was solid for the sixth consecutive game, making 6-of-8 shots from the field and 3-of-4 from 3-point range. Over his last six games, Atsur has scored in double figures five times, averaging 13.7 points and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 55.3 percent from the field overall and 51.7 percent from beyond the arc.

Tonight, Western got on the board first with a Martin layup. Piedmont knotted the game at 2-2 thanks to a Dustin David layup at the 18:15 mark of the first half. The Cats went on a 19-2 run over the next six-plus minutes to take a 21-4 lead and put the game out of reach.

The Catamounts took a 48-18 lead at the break, shooting 64 percent from the field, while holding Piedmont to 24.1 percent shooting. WCU also had 13 assists on 16 made baskets in the first half with the Lions handing out just four assists and committing 14 turnovers over the first 20 minutes.

For the game, Western shot a season-high 62 percent from the field and handed out 22 assists on 31 made baskets. Piedmont came back to shoot 40 percent from the field in the second half, but finished the game shooting 31.5 percent with 30 turnovers.

In addition to Martin and Atsur, Western was led by freshman Kyle Greathouse, who just missed his first career double-double. The Lancaster, Ohio, native scored nine points and handed out nine assists with four steals. Alex Osipovitch, Terrence Woodyard and Corey Muirhead each added eight points.

The Cats, already down two post players with injuries to Rans Brempong and Lunzaya Nlandu, only suited up eight players for tonight's contest as sophomore center David Berghoefer was sidelined with an injury as well. The team's leading rebounder and second-leading scorer, Berghoefer was injured during Sunday's practice, but is expected to return this weekend.

Piedmont was led by David, who scored 16 points on 6-of-17 shooting. Tavarvess Wade came off the bench to lead the Lions in rebounds with six, while reserve Furaha Rutambika recorded six steals. Piedmont had two players leave the game with injuries, including starters Roger Hazelwood and Adam McCullough.

Western Carolina will return to action Saturday (Feb. 7) versus Chattanooga. Game time at the RAC is set for 7 pm. Prior to the game, WCU will welcome back its basketball alumni for a game and social. The players will also be honored during the game. If you have not signed up to participate in the activities, or if you know of someone who has not, please call Coach Daniel Willis at (828) 227-2020.