Dec. 11, 2005

Final Stats

Greenville, N.C. - Kyle Greathouse sank three 3-pointers in the first half and Corey Muirhead made two key baskets in the second half to lead Western Carolina to a 56-48 win at East Carolina Saturday night at Williams Arena/Minges Coliseum. The win was the Catamounts' first road win of the season, was WCU's first win over ECU in Greenville in its last 10 tries (dating back to Feb. 1, 1957) and was Western's second ever over a Conference USA team, defeating the Pirates 77-72 in overtime last season in Cullowhee.

The first half was tight throughout with three ties, two lead changes and no team leading by more than 10 points. The Catamounts (6-6) took advantage of nine ECU turnovers, scoring 11 points on the miscues, while getting 10 points from the bench, compared to just two by the Pirates (3-4).

East Carolina's Courtney Captain drained a 3-pointer with 9:08 left in the first half to force the third and final tie of the first half, 15-15. Western answered with back-to-back 3-pointers by Muirhead and Greathouse, while Jared Outing had a backdoor dunk and Negus McKenna got a steal and a layup during a 9-0 run. Taylor Gagnon got ECU back on track with a layup. Freshman Stan Johnson would give Wesern's its largest first-half lead, 27-17, with a 3-pointer at the 5:05 mark. Western looked to take a seven-point lead into the locker room at halftime after a Greathouse trey, but Rouse converted a dunk with 29 seconds left to provide the 30-25 score at the break.

Rouse then made it a 3-point game to start the second half on a layup 14 seconds into the period. David Berghoefer, who scored Western's first five points of the second half, answered with two free throws and a jumper to push the Cats' lead back to seven. After trading baskets, both teams went cold as Western scored just one basket over a five-minute span, while East Carolina also scored just one basket over a 4:30 span.

Western, who never relinquished the lead in the second half, broke its cold streak when Stan Johnson stepped back and drained a 3-pointer at the 11:50 mark. However, East Carolina would work its deficit down to three (39-26) after two free throws by Japhet McNeil. The Cats responded with a 9-0 run, getting a 12-point cushion (48-36). Muirhead got things started with a layup and he capped the run with a 3-pointer as shot clock expired. The Pirates battled back as Rouse made two free throws and Gagnon drained a 3-pointer to make it a six-point game.

Muirhead then made perhaps the play of the game, getting a tough offensive rebound and shooting the put back as he was falling to make the score 50-42 with 3:10 left in the game. ECU made one final charge, cutting its deficit to four. However, Outing and Greathouse each hit free throws inside the final minute, while Antonio Russell san two with 20 seconds left, to secure the win.

In addition to scoring a game-high 12 points, Greathouse led the Cats with five rebounds, getting some key loose-ball rebounds late in the game. The junior was 3-of-4 from 3-point range and 4-of-6 from the field overall. Muirhead came off the bench to score 11 points, making both 3-pointers he attempted.

For the Pirates, Rouse, Gagnon and Sam Hinnant each scored 10 points. Rouse, who was 3-of-8 from the field and 4-of-9 from the line, committed five turnovers but pulled down 11 rebounds as ECU out-rebounded the Cats 35-27.

Western will have next week off as the University has final exams. The Cats will return to action Dec. 18 (Sunday) at 4 pm, opening Southern Conference play with a home game versus The Citadel.