Feb. 13, 2007

Final Stats

Cullowhee, N.C. - Chattanooga's Casey Long buried a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 1.9 seconds remaining in regulation to push the Mocs past Western Carolina, 75-72, Monday night in the Ramsey Center. Western dropped to 10-15 overall, 7-7 in the Southern Conference, while Chattanooga improved to 12-15 overall, 5-10 in league play.

With 7:53 remaining in the second half, Chattanooga held a 14-point lead, 63-49. However, the Catamounts embarked on a 23-to-9 run, capped off by a pair of free throws by Freshman of the Year candidate, Nick Aldridge, to knot the score at 72. On the ensuing possession, Long escaped WCU's pressure to unleash the 3-pointer with 1.9 ticks on the clock which proved to be the difference maker for the Mocs as Jake Robinson's desperation heave from near mid-court that bounced off the glass as time expired.

Robinson had a career-night, scoring a career-best 24 points, including a career-high seven 3-pointers (7-of-16) in 33 minutes of action. The Canton, N.C., native added five boards, an assist and a steal. His classmate, Aldridge, added 12 points, five rebounds, and two blocks as he was once again faced double-teams the entire game. Junior Antonio Russell rounded out WCU's trio in double figures with 12 points, adding five boards, three assists and a steal.

A career-high six of junior Arnold Gore's team-high nine rebounds came on the offensive end, but he struggled from the field, shooting 3-of-11, for a total of seven points.

Utilizing 12 unanswered points off of four-straight treys by Gore, Antonio Russell, Robinson, and Brigham Waginger, the Catamounts pulled ahead by 11, 22-11, with 11:23 left in the first half. However, WCU only made four field goals over the next 8:02 as Chattanooga erased the lead and tied the game, 32-32, with 3:21 remaining in the first half. Chattanooga carried a 38-37 lead into the break on 48.3% shooting from the field, hitting 6-of-14 from beyond the arc, while holding the Catamounts to 36.8% shooting from the field.

Out of the halftime locker room, Chattanooga posted consecutive dunks and a three-pointer while Western missed its first nine shots from the field until junior Negus McKenna connected on a trey to end the nearly seven-minute scoring drought with 13:53 in the game. UTC outscored Western 18-to-9 to go up 14, setting up the Catamounts late-game 23-to-9 run.

Western finished the game shooting 23-of-66 (34.8%) from the field and attempted a season-high 34 3-pointers (12-of-34, 35.3%). UTC shot a sizzling 27-of-52 (51.9%) including 12-of-22 (54.5%) from beyond the arc. The Catamounts did hold a commanding 43-to-31 edge on the boards, including 20 on the offensive end which was two off a season-best.

The Catamounts return to action in a rare mid-week date, visiting UNC Greensboro on Wednesday (Feb. 14). Tip-off from Fleming Gymnasium is set for 7:00 pm. The game will be broadcast by the Catamount Sports Network and can be heard in Western North Carolina on WWCU-FM, Power 90dot5 in Cullowhee or online at www.CatamountSports.com.