Nov. 14, 2006

Final Stats

Asheville, N.C. - Catamount freshman Nick Aldridge scored 17 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead Western Carolina to a 61-46 road victory over UNC Asheville Tuesday night at Justice Center. It marked the second time in the two-year tenure of WCU head coach Larry Hunter that the Cats have won their season opener, with WCU defeating Bowling Green away from Cullowhee last season.

Eric Wilson, who scored 11 second-half points, and Antonio Russell contributed 13 points each. Local product Jake Robinson added 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Also, Negus McKenna, known for his long range shooting as he ranked second in the SoCon in 3-pont field goal percentage, grabbed eight rebounds and came away with two steals.

Western Carolina won, despite shooting 36 percent (21-of-58) from the field. The Cats did a good job from the free throw line as they shot 75 percent (15-of-20). Western's defense held the Bulldogs (1-1) to just 31 percent (19-of-62) shooting from the field and 22 percent (4-of-18) from the three-point line. Added to UNCA's woes were its dismal 36 percent (4-of-11) from the foul line and committing 16 turnovers.

Bryan Smithson led Asheville with 13 points. He added five assists and five rebounds. Brett Warner and K.J. Garland contributed nine points each. Warner collected seven rebounds.

The Bulldogs did not score in the first half until Brett Warner scored on a lay-up at the 10:27 mark. Western Carolina was not much better but did score the first 10 points of the game to lead 10-2 after Warner's score.

WCU led 13-7 after Smithson scored at the 6:36 mark but the Bulldogs went ice cold again from the field allowing the Catamounts to go on a 12-4 run to end the half and lead 25-11 at halftime. Aldridge keyed the run with eight points, including a three-point play with 1:01 left in the half to give the Cats a 14-point halftime lead.

Two free throws from Russell gave WCU a 47-26 lead with 9:14 left before Asheville made a spirited rally to try and get back in the game. The Bulldogs went on a 15-6 run, but were never able to cut its deficit to single digits, trailing 52-41 after freshman Sean Smith sank a trey with 3:03 left.

But Wilson scored on lay-ups the next two times down the floor to get the lead back up to 56-41 and Robinson converted a fast-break dunk to put the game out of reach.

Western Carolina heads to Purdue for a game with the Boilermakers Friday night starting at 8:30 pm.