Feb. 4, 2006

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Trailing by 10 with 4:18 to play in regulation, Western Carolina mounted a 9-0 run to cut the deficit to one, 62-61, but could not complete the comeback as Davidson connected on 5-of-6 free throws inside the final 30 seconds to edge the Lady Catamounts, 67-63. Saturday night's score was identical to the final tally of the Jan. 7 meeting at Davidson, also won by the Wildcats.

Freshman Teshymia Tillman capped Western's game-ending run with a runner in the lane, pulling the Lady Catamounts to within one point. On the ensuing possession, WCU senior Teyawna Hardy was whistled for a foul and then given a technical foul, which put Davidson junior Jessica Mitchell at the free throw line for a combined four shots. The 62-percent free throw shooter sank all four, giving the Wildcats five-point advantage. Hardy tried to atone for the fouls, draining a jumper on the offensive end, but Mitchell hit one-of-two from the line inside of 10 seconds for the final tally.

Western (4-17, 4-8 SoCon) was led by freshman Lauren Powell, who recorded her team-high 17th double-digit scoring outing with 13 points, including three, 3-point baskets. Senior Teyawna Hardy and sophomore Monique Dawson each added 10 points in the loss, with Hardy tying her career-high with four steals.

Freshmen Kendra Eaton and Tillman each scored seven, with the latter dishing out a game-high five assists, with sophomore Chevon Keith leading WCU with nine rebounds, five of which came on the offensive end.

Early in the first half, Davidson broke a 7-7 tie with a 10-0 run over a five-minute span to take a 17-7 lead with 11:53 showing on the game clock. But the Lady Catamounts rallied, using three-consecutive lay-ups to shave the margin to four, 17-13, two and a half minutes later. The Wildcats advantage hovered around five points until late in the half when Western forced the game's fourth tie, using six-consecutive free throws. Freshman April Parker connected on the final two of the six with 1:18 to play before halftime, knotting the score at 27. Inside the final 60 seconds, each team traded 3-pointers, with Hardy connecting for WCU first and sophomore Danielle Hemerka draining one at the buzzer for Davidson, to stand tied at intermission, 30-30.

The second half continued where the first half left off, each team trading baskets in a seesaw affair. But Davidson, utilizing a 14-2 run, took the lead for what would prove to be the final time just inside the 14-minute mark. During the Wildcats' run, Western missed four shots and committed three costly turnovers. The lead would balloon to a game-high 11, 55-44, on a Kelly Gassie jumper with 7:38 to play in regulation, which would prove to be Davidson's final points from the floor. The Wildcats scored their final 12 points from the free throw line, connecting on 12-of-18 from the charity stripe.

Davidson (12-9, 8-4 SoCon) placed five players in double-figures for the third time this season, led by the double-double effort of junior Brynn Kelly who scored 14 points and pulled down 10 defensive rebounds. Her front court classmate, Jessica Mitchell, finished with 13 points, seven of which came from the charity stripe, with Hemerka and freshman Kelly Gassie each tallying a dozen, and senior Janell Crayton finishing with 11 points and eight boards.

Western remains at home on Monday, Feb. 6, hosting arch-rival Appalachian State at 7:00 pm in the Ramsey Center. The WCU Athletics Department will hoist all-time women's basketball leading scorer, Jayne Arledge's number 25 into the rafters during a pregame ceremony. Davidson returns home for a re-match against SoCon leader Chattanooga Lady Mocs on Monday, Feb. 6 at 7:00 pm.