Nov. 29, 2006

Final Stats

Spartanburg, S.C. - A pair of Catamount freshmen, Jake Robinson and Nick Aldridge, as well as junior Antonio Russell, led Western Carolina to an 81-75 victory over Wofford Wednesday night at Benjamin Johnson Arena. The Catamounts improve to 4-1 overall and open its 2006-07 Southern Conference schedule with victory. The Terriers fall to 4-4, 0-2 SoCon.

Robinson, who hails from Canton, led Western with 20 points, making 6-of-7 shots from 3-point range. Overall, he was 7-of-9 from the field, while adding three rebounds, an assist and a steal. The Pisgah High product has had a productive week to date. After sinking 5-of-6 treys on Monday, Robinson has made 11-of-13 from beyond the arc in two games.

Robinson's classmate Aldridge recorded his second double-double of the season, scoring 15 points and pulling down 10 rebounds. He scored 11 of his points in the second half, making 6-of-16 shots overall and 3-of-4 from the free throw line. Russell was close on Robinson's heels, scoring 19 points. Most of his damage came at the free throw line, sinking 8-of-11 from the charity stripe.

Western scored first, but Wofford would take control early, taking a 14-9 lead thanks to a 3-pointer by Matt O'Connor and a pair of treys by Shane Nichols. However, from that point, Western went a 3-point barrage themselves, making five straight treys to go up 24-17 and taking a lead it would not relinquish to remainder of the contest. Kyle Greathouse got Western on track making the first of the Cats' 3-pointers, followed by one from Eric Wilson, one from Russell and two from Robinson.

Ralph Hegeman would Wofford to within five (24-19) with 6:24 left before halftime before Western held the Terriers to just four points (one field goal and two free throws) the rest of the way. Negus McKenna, who had nine points and seven rebounds, put the Cats up 14 (37-23) with a 3-pointer just before the end of the first period.

McKenna would also give Western its largest lead of the game (18 points, 43-25) with a 3-pointer at the 17:17 mark of the second half as the Catamounts would maintain a double-digit lead the first 11 minutes of the second half.

With 8:21 left, Eric Marshall hit two free throws for Wofford to put the Terriers down nine (61-52), followed by a Shane Nichols jumper for Wofford. Two free throws and a layup by Russell would push Western's advantage back to 11. The Terriers continued to battle as Nichols made a 3-pointer, Corey Godzinski made of jumper and Marshall made a 3-pointer to pull Woffod to within five (67-62 with 5:36 remaining.

However, on Western's ensuing possession, McKenna took a pass in the corner, drove to the basket and threw down a dunk, getting fouled and converting the free throw. Another key play for Western down the stretch, was Russell finding Robinson in the left corner for a 3-pointer, giving Western a 10-point cushion (76-66) with just over a minute to play. While Western struggled from the free throw line as the game drew to a close, the Catamounts made enough to off-set three 3-pointers by Wofford inside the final minute. Notably, with Western clinging to a four-point lead, Russell hit two free throws with nine seconds left to both seal the game and provide the final 81-75 victory.

Western dished out 16 assists on the night, including five each from Greathouse and Brandon Giles. The Catamounts also controlled the boards, holding a 35-28 advantage.

For the Terriers, Nichols had a game-high 24 points, making five treys and sinking 5-of-7 at the free throw line. Marshall added 18 with O'Connor and Tyler Whatley contributing 12 and 11, respectively. Whatley also cmae down with eight rebounds with Marshall dishing out six assists.

Western Carolina will stay on the road, heading to Cincinnati to play at Xavier this Saturday (Dec. 2). Game time is set for Noon.