Dec. 18, 2007

Box Score

HONOLULU, Hi. - Western Carolina women's basketball (74-61) equaled its longest winning streak of the season, with three, but more importantly the 74-61 victory over Tennessee Tech earned them the Paradise Classic Tournament title. The Lady Catamounts return home to host Chattanooga on Thursday at 7 p.m. to open Southern Conference play.

The Lady Catamounts lead by as much as 21 points in the second half, after taking a 32-24 advantage into the locker room, before Tennessee Tech tried to mount a come back late in the game. The Golden Eagles went on a 13-2 run in a four minute span to erode the 20 plus Western Carolina lead down to seven with 4:48 left to play.

A lay-up by Brooke Johnson pushed the Lady Catamount lead to 11 (67-56) with 3:52 remaining and Western Carolina never relinquished a double digit lead again. Western Carolina led by as much as 14 in the final three minutes of the game.

Western Carolina shot a season-high 53.8 percent from the field torching the Golden Eagles in the second half shooting 65.2 percent hitting 15-of-23 from the field. The Lady Cats also shot 44.4 percent from behind the three-point arch hitting 8-of-18 three pointers.

Junior Lauren Powell led Western Carolina with 14 points. She connected on a season-high four three-pointers and pulled down four rebounds.

Powell was one of four Lady Cats to score in double figures. Chevon Keith had 12 points, Monique Dawson 11 points and Brooke Johnson poured in 10 points. Keith also led the club with seven rebounds.

Dawson had a huge three-game tournament. She averaged 13.7 points per game and shot 48.1 percent from the field. Powell and Johnson also averaged double figures in the tournament with 12 points per game.

HEAD COACH Kellie Harper QUOTES:

"I am very proud of our players. To be able to come here amidst all the distractions Hawaii has to offer and be able to stay focused and win three basketball games - that is a tribute to their maturity as a team."

"I think Monique Dawson had some of her better games here in Hawaii we really need that type of play form her. I thought Lauren Powell shot the ball well. We are going to have production from several people and I am really happy to see that shots are finally falling Monique and Lauren."