Feb. 21, 2006

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Three Catamounts scored in double figures, led by 17 points from Antonio Russell, to lead Western Carolina (13-15, 7-6 Southern Conference) to a 67-53 victory over UNC Greensboro (11-16, 4-8) Tuesday night at the Ramsey Activity Center.

Russell, who is Western's leading scorer for the season, been the Catamounts' game leader in scoring since getting 17 at Mississippi on Jan. 3, a span of 11 games. Joining Russell in double figures were Corey Muirhead with 16 points and Kyle Greathouse with 13 points.

UNCG's Kyle Hines led all scorers with 21 points, making 9-of-11 shots from the field and 3-of-10 from the free throw line. Ricky Hickman added 16 points. He was 2-of-5 from 3-point range, extending his streak to 23 consecutive games with a 3-pointer to rank as the third-longest span n UNCG history.

In addition to Western out-rebounding the Spartans, 35-26, and shooting 47.1 percent from the field, compared to 42 percent by UNCG, the difference in the game came at the free throw line. Western sank 13-of-18 (72.2 percent) at the line, while the Spartans were just 7-of-20 (35.0 percent) at the stripe.

After the teams traded baskets to start the game, Greathouse sank a 3-pointer to give Western a 7-4 advantage, a lead it would not surrender the remainder of the contest. From that point, Greathouse would make two more treys and Russell added one during a 12-1 run, putting the Cats up 16-5. Western would keep its advantage around 10 points most of the first half until Hickman's jumper with 33 seconds left cut UNCG's deficit to seven (39-32) at the break.

The Spartans built on that momentum to start the second half, getting as close as five twice on a pair of Hines layups. However, David Berghoefer answered for Western each time to keep the Cats up seven. After Berghoefer's second basket of the half at 18:21, there were only a combined four points scored between the two teams over the next six minutes. Muirhead hit a jumper in the paint at the 16:33 mark and Hines made a layup at the 15:19 mark. Jared Outing broke the drought with two free throws at the 12:17 mark, then made a jumper with 11:38 left.

UNCG made a final push, cutting Western's lead to seven after a pair of baskets by Hines with 10:12 remaining. However, Russell would make a jumper and later a free throw to put WCU up 10 with 9:09 left. Western would lead by double digits the remainder of the contest.

Russell sank 6-of-12 shots from the field, including 2-of-5 from 3-point range, and 3-of-5 at the line. Greathouse's 13 points, his most since scoring 29 versus UNCG earlier this season (1/16), came by making 3-of-6 from beyond the arc and 4-of-4 at the charity stripe. Muirhead added seven rebounds to go along with his 16 points. Negus McKenna contributed eight rebounds and seven points, while Outing came away with three blocked shots.

For the Spartans, Hines had seven rebounds to accompany his 21 points, while Hickman has five boards and three steals.

Western Carolina will return to action Saturday (Feb. 25), playing at Chattanooga in the teams' regular-season finale. Second place in the SoCon North Division will be at stake as each team sports a 7-6 league mark. Tipoff at The McKenzie Arena is set for 7 pm.