Jan. 23, 2006

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Dontaye Draper, who hit a key 3-pointer with 49 seconds left, scored a game-high 21 points to lead the College of Charleston to a 67-59 victory Monday night at the Ramsey Activity Center. The Cougars improve to 11-7 overall and 4-3 in the Southern Conference, while the Catamounts fall to 9-12, 3-3.

Including five free throws inside the final minute, the College of Charleston helped secure its victory by making 20-of-31 at the free throw line, compared to just 7-of-8 by Western Carolina.

With the College of Charleston clinging to a two point lead (59-57) and the shot clock running out, Draper drained his 3-pointer to put the Cougars up five (62-57) with 49 ticks on the clock. After a WCU turnover and two free throws by the CofC's Drew Hall, Draper would grab a defensive rebound and make two free throws with 21 seconds left make the score 66-57 and to put the game out of reach. A layup by Western's Trey Hopkins and a final free throw by Draper provided the final 67-59 margin.

Down 10 (59-49) at the five-minute mark of the second half, Western Carolina went on an 8-0 run to cut its deficit to two before Draper's crucial trey. Antonio Russell had four points and an assist during the run, while David Berghoefer and Hopkins each added a bucket as well.

Berghoefer, who led the Catamounts with 17 points, scored Western's first eight points of the game. However, the Cougars led from the outset before back-to-back 3-pointers by Eric Wilson gave Western a one-point lead (14-13). The lead bounced back and forth over the next seven minutes. With 3:35 left before the break, David Lawrence made a 3-pointer giving the Cougars an advantage they would not surrender the rest of the contest. Lawrence's trey was actually in the midst of a 14-0 Charleston run to close the first half as CofC took a 33-24 lead at intermission.

Despite the College of Charleston leading the Southern Conference in rebounds, Western out-rebounded the Cougars 31-29. However, Western committed 17 turnovers, compared to just seven by the Charleston.

In addition to Draper, the College of Charleston was led by Renardo Dickerson, who contributed 10 points off the bench. Drew Hall paced the Cougars on the boards with seven. Berghoefer was the only Catamount in double figures, while he and Jared Outing each pulled down seven rebounds.

Western Carolina will return to action on Saturday (Jan. 28) at Wofford. Tipoff in Spartanburg, S.C., is set for 7 pm.