Nov. 28, 2005

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Western Carolina stepped on the gas early for a 27-0 run to start the game then kept the peddle down to defeat Toccoa Falls College, 96-37, Monday night at the Ramsey Activity Center. Freshman Stan Johnson came off the Catamount bench to lead all scorers with 18 points, while David Berghoefer added 17 points and Corey Muirhead made all seven of his shots from the field in scoring 14 points.

On a night when Western Carolina commemorated its own Ronnie Carr making the first 3-point basket 25 years ago (Nov. 29, 1980 in a 77-70 win over Middle Tennessee State), the Catamounts used a strong inside game, making 36-of-51 shots inside the arc, to secure the victory. Post players Johnson, Berghoefer, Muirhead and Jared Outing combined to make 25 shots on their 32 attempts.

The Catamounts (3-5) got an early basket and 3-pointer from Antonio Russell and Berghoefer chipped in seven early points, while Muirhead and Outing each came off the bench to score four points in the first eight minutes. Trey Hopkins, who was seeing his first action four games, capped the 27-0 run with a 3-pointer at the 11:45 mark.

Toccoa Falls (4-7) broke its drought 20 seconds later on a jumper by Jake Jones. The Eagles would cut their deficit to 24 (31-7) on a Robby Blanton layup with 9:04 remaining before the break, but that as is close as the score would get the remainder of the first half. Western answered with a 19-6 run, extending it lead to 37 with 1:54. Toccoa Falls' Jones tipped in his own miss at the buzzer to make the score 51-20 at the break.

Western built on its first-half led by shooting 70.4 percent (19-of-27) from the field in the second half, while holding the Eagles to just 17 points. Overall, the Catamounts forced 26 turnovers, while committing just 11, while dishing out 20 assists on 41 made baskets.

In addition to Johnson, Berghoefer and Muirhead, Negus McKenna reached double figures for Western, scoring 10 points with five rebounds. Outing, who scored nine points, added six rebounds and a career-high five assists.

The Catamounts did not allow a Toccoa Falls player to score in double figures with Tommy Penland and Ryan Terry each scoring eight points. Terry added six rebounds and two steals.

Western Carolina will return to action Wednesday night to host Montreat. Tipoff is set for 7:00 pm.