Box Score Dec. 3, 2005
Final Stats
Cullowhee, N.C. -
Midway through the second half, Western Carolina broke a 47-all tie with a 15-2 run over a five minute period to grab its largest lead of the game at 13 points. However, the Lady Catamounts went cold from the floor over the final 6:55, missing seven shots and six free throws allowing the UNC Asheville Bulldogs to claw back and force overtime with a 13-0 run. In the extra session, UNCA scored nine-consecutive points, seven of which came from the free throw line, to pull out the 77-66 win Saturday night in the Ramsey Center.
The loss was Western's fifth-straight to open the 2005-06 season, and third-in-a-row against mountain-rival, UNCA, marking the first, three-game winning streak in the all-time series by the Bulldogs. It also snapped Western's three-game home winning streak, which dated back to January of last season.
Western (0-5) was led by sophomore guard Ashley Pellom, who tied her career-high with 10 points as the only Lady Catamount to score in double figures. Her classmate, Chevon Keith, just missed her first double-double of the year, scoring nine and boarding 11, including four on the offensive end. Junior Erin May and sophomore Monique Dawson each scored eight in the loss, with senior Teyawna Hardy finishing with seven in her first action of the season.
After missing their first two opportunities from the floor in the early moments of the game, Western settled into a rhythm in their home opener, taking a 10-4 lead over the Bulldogs at the 14:24 mark of the first half. The closely contested half continued, with Western leading the majority, aside from a minute and a half stint where the Bulldogs grabbed a three-point advantage, 27-24. WCU countered with a five-point spurt to reclaim the lead and carried that advantage into the break, 33-32.
Midway through the second half, sophomore Jessika Johnson, who tied a career-high with three blocked shots, capped the Lady Cats 15-2 spurt with a lay-up in the lane, putting Western on top 62-49 with just under seven minutes to play. But from that point on, empty trips including the aforementioned 0-for-7 showing from the floor, 0-for-6 from the charity stripe, and four additional turnovers allowed UNCA to tie the game. WCU had one additional opportunity to win in regulation. Holding for the last shot under 20 seconds to play, the Lady Catamounts put the ball in the hands of All-SoCon selection, Keith, but her 3-pointer at the buzzer was just off target.
In overtime, WCU junior Erin May hit two free throws to put WCU in front, 64-62. Barton then scored on a three-point play to put the Bulldogs in front for good, 65-64. The score remained 65-64 for the next three minutes until UNCA's Amanda Elder took a pass from Kristal Hood and scored on a three-point play to push the lead to 68-64 with 1:30 left. The Bulldogs then went 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the final minute of play to earn the victory. All told, UNCA compiled a 28-to-4 run over the final seven minutes of regulation and overtime to pick up their fourth win of the season.
Stacy Shepard led Asheville with 19 points and 15 rebounds, while Ashton Barton contributed 17 points. Hood, plagued by foul trouble, finished with 14 points, with Brittany Hendley added 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
Western Carolina returns to action on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm CT, 8:00 pm EST, as it visits the Auburn Tigers of the SEC. The game will be broadcast on the Catamount Sports Network on 1350 AM WZNN in Asheville, with live audio also available on-line at www.supertalk1350.com.
