Jan. 21, 2006

Final Stats

Elon, N.C. - Leading by two with 10 seconds to go after a Montell Watson free throw, Elon's Scottie Rice sealed the victory with a steal as the Phoenix held on for a 50-48 decision over Western Carolina Saturday night at Alumni Gym. With the win, Elon won its seventh straight, improved to 9-9 overall and ran its league record to 5-0 to keep its early lead in the Southern Conference North Division. The Catamounts, who return home to host the College of Charleston Monday on CSS TV, fall to 9-11 overall and remain in second place in the SoCon North with their 3-2 league mark.

Elon, who trailed by two (22-20) at the break, came out and shot 58.8 percent from the field in the second half to lead by as many as 10 (38-28) with 12:27 left in the contest. Western who only shot 26.7 percent from the field in the game, held Elon scoreless over the next four minutes to cut its deficit to six. Watson broke the dry spell with a layup, only to have Western's Kyle Greathouse immediately answer with his only 3-pointer of the contest to bring the Cats to within five (40-35) with 7:58 remaining.

Neither team took control over the next three minutes and, with 4:38 left, Western's Jared Outing sank two free throws to make it a three-point game. The Catamounts would not score again for over three minutes, but did not allow Elon to score, except for a free throw by Colin Wyatt at the 2:06 and 1:27 mark. Corey Muirhead brought Western back to within three (49-46) on a layup with 1:12 remaining. On the ensuing possession, Outing came through with a steal and an offensive rebound off a missed 3-pointer by WCU. The senior was fouled on the rebound and drained two from the charity stripe with 13 seconds left to make it a one-point game. Watson was fouled on the inbounds play and, after missing the first attempt, put the Phoenix up two after making the second try. Western lost control on the ball at midcourt and Rice came away with the steal as time expired for the win.

In the first half, Western only shot 26.1 percent from the field, as it only made 1-of-11 from 3-point range. However, Elon was held to 29.4 percent shooting from the field. Also, after taking an early lead with 12:55 left in the period on back-to-back 3-pointers by Chris Chalko, the Phoenix was held without without a field goal until LeVonn Jordan hit a jumper with 2:35 left. Elon did make six from the free throw line over the span.

Watson led all scorers in the game with 16 points, making 7-of-10 from the free throw line. Colin Wyatt added 13 points and six rebounds off the bench. Muirhead paced the Catamounts with 14 points, while Outing and Greathouse each had seven rebounds. The seven boards tied a career-high for Greathouse.

Western Carolina will return to action on Monday (Jan. 23) versus the College of Charleston. Tipoff at the Ramsey Activity Center is set for 7 pm. The game will be televised on CSS TV. At halftime of the contest, Western will honor nearly 200 student-athletes who earned at least a 3.0 grade point averaged in the spring and/or fall semester of 2005.