Nov. 22, 2008

Box Score

CULLOWEE, N.C. - Emily Clarke tied her career-high with 18 points to help pace Western Carolina women's basketball to a 73-53 win over Liberty in the Preseason WNIT Consolation Winner's Bracket Finals Saturday in the Ramsey Center. The Lady Catamounts improve to 2-1 on the season and even their record to 3-3 in WNIT sponsored events. Liberty, who was receiving a vote in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll, falls to 1-2 on the season.

Clarke opened the game with a three-pointer from the top of the key and that ensured Western Carolina would never trail in the game. However, WCU took some time to find its footing against the flame, and after the game was tied at 16 with 8:28 left in the first half, the Lady Catamounts went on a 14-3 run to lead 30-19 at the half.

Western Carolina built as much as a 19 point lead to start the second half, with a 12-6 run, with was capped off by a jumper by Brooke Johnson with 16:10 to go. However, WCU left the door open for a possible Liberty comeback when the club went on a scoring drought, only a pair of field goals and one free throw in the span six minutes to the Flame claw within 10 with 10 minutes to go in the game.

Clarke nailed down the Liberty threat when she drained a three-pointer, her second of three in game, to push the lead back to 13. Liberty would never get closer in the game and twice more Western Carolina tied its largest lead of 19 to ensure a victory.

Western Carolina shot a season-high 45.8 percent from the field and also connected on seven three-pointers in the game. The club, however, was out-rebounded by Liberty with the Flames winning the board advantage with 32 to Western Carolina's 32.

Clarke of course led the team with 18 points but was also deadly from the field hitting 6-of-8 and 3-of-4 from the three-point line and was also 3-of-4 from the free throw line. For the second time this season, junior guard Heather Swayne came off the bench to score in double digits with 10 against Lafayette.

Johnson led the Lady Catamounts with eight boards and was followed closely by Clarke who had six. Also of note was junior guard Jessica Jackson who had a career-high eight points and also a career-best six assists.

Western Carolina heads on the road to Knoxville, Tennessee to face No. 5 Tennessee on Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.