Jan. 3, 2006

Final Stats

Oxford, Miss. - Western Carolina's bid to get its third all-time win versus a Southeastern Conference team fell just short as Mississippi made 4-of-6 free throws inside the final 35 seconds to hold on for a 65-59 decision Tuesday night at Tad smith Coliseum. The Catamounts, who trailed by three with 26 seconds left, fall to 7-9 on the season and are now 2-31 all-time versus the SEC, while the Rebels improved to 10-3.

Western was trailing by 12 (52-41) with 10:14 left in the game after Ole Miss' Dwayne Curtis scored two of his game-high 21 points. However, the Catamounts would hold the Rebels scoreless of the next six minutes, going on a 10-0 run over the span, and only allow three field goals the remainder of the game. Antonio Russell, who scored 17 points for the game, and David Berghoefer, who added 14, each scored four points during the run, while Corey Muirhead capped the run with a jumper at the 4:41 mark.

Clarence Sanders snapped the Rebels' drought at the 4:20 mark and Mike Smith hit two free throws 30 seconds later to put Ole Miss up six. Western's Corey Muirhead answered with two at the charity stripe. Curtis and Sanders each hit baskets giving Ole Miss an eight-point lead (61-53) with 3:04 left in the game.

The Catamount defense stiffened once again, cutting their deficit to four and holding the Rebels scoreless until sending Sanders to the free throw line with 35 seconds left. Sanders only hit 1-of-2 at the line and Trey Hopkins made a layup with 26 seconds left, making it a three-point game. Sanders was sent back to the line and converted both free throws. Western, down five, missed a 3-pointer with 18 seconds left and Sanders sealed the game making 1-of-2 at the free throw line four seconds later.

Western started the game in fine fashion, racing out to a 10-2 lead. Ole Miss battled back to tie the game at 13, only to have Western build a six-point cushion (23-17) with 7:34 left before the break. The lead went back and forth over the next two minutes with Western taking a 24-23 lead at the 5:25 mark. Ten seconds later, Curtis hit a layup, giving Ole Miss a one-point lead and the Rebels would not surrender the advantage the remainder of the contest. The Catamounts only scored five points over the final 5:25 and trailed by nine (38-29) at halftime.

Ole Miss, who was only shooting 64 percent from the free throw line coming into the game, sank 14-of-19 from the charity stripe and out-rebounded the Cats 35-23. Western was just 10-of-17 at the free throw line, missing three from the charity stripe inside the final 2:09 of the game.

For the Rebles, Curtis added six rebounds and three steals to his 21 points. Sanders contributed 15 points and Todd Abernathy added 14. For Western, Berghoefer led all rebounders with seven, while Russell added four boards and five steals.

Western Carolina will return to action on Monday, Jan. 9, facing rival Appalachian State. The game will be a true doubleheader between the Catamounts and Mountaineers in Boone with the women playing at 6 pm and the men at 9 pm. In addition to radio coverage, the men's game will be televised on Fox Sports Net South.