Jan. 14, 2008

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Lauren Powell scored a game-high 17 points and knocked down a season-high five three-pointers to help pace Western Carolina women's basketball to a 73-61 win over visiting Elon Monday afternoon in the Ramsey Center. The Lady Catamounts improve to 12-5 on the season and 4-1 in the Southern Conference while Elon falls to 6-11 and 2-4 in the SoCon.

The victory is the Lady Cats' fourth straight and bests its previous season-high streak of three consecutive wins. It is also the fourth straight Southern Conference win for Western Carolina.

Powell opened the game with a three-pointer to give Western Carolina the early lead but the Lady Catamounts struggled from the field early. The game was tied four times before Western Carolina took the lead for good at 13-11 with 9:58 left to play in the first half.

Western Carolina built a 12-point lead with 5:17 remaining thanks to a jumper from Kendra Carroll. Elon battled back and cut the Lady Cats' lead to six (33-27) at the half when Amber Wall hit a lay-up with 26 seconds remaining in the half.

Elon went on a 15-12 run in the first nine minutes of the second half to pull within one point, 45-44, of Western Carolina. Powell hit a huge three pointer to give Western Carolina a four-point lead and Elon never got closer then three points the rest of the game.

Western Carolina shot 43.1 percent from the field but struggled at the free throw line hitting 10-of-16 for 62.5 percent. The Lady Catamounts also had seven three-pointers in the contest, the second most of the season.

Senior Monique Dawson was the only other Lady Catamount to score in double figures with 13 points. Fellow senior Chevon Keith pulled down 14 rebounds - the ninth game this season she has double figure rebounds. Sophomore forward Kristen Feemster tied her career-high with eight points. For the second straight game all 10 Lady Catamounts played and scored in the contest.

Western Carolina hits the road again Saturday visiting Wofford. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.

HEAD COACH Kellie Harper QUOTES:

"It is extremely important our younger players get minutes like they did in the game this afternoon. Not only for this year but for next year and they have done a nice job when we have put them in. I thought Kristen [Feemster] had a good game today. Overall, they are giving us what they need to give us."