Jan. 5, 2009

Box Score

CATAMOUNT TRACKS PODCAST - HARPER POSTGAME INTERVIEW

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball shot 70.8 percent from the field in the second half, and freshman guard Kaila'Shea Menendez scored a career-high 20 points, as the Lady Catamounts defeated Furman 83-74 Monday in Timmons Arena. The Lady Catamounts improve to 8-6 overall and 4-2 in the Southern Conference while the Paladins fall to 8-7 and 2-4 in the SoCon.

Down by as much as seven in the second half, Western Carolina battled Furman for the first 14 minutes until it cut the lead by one, 45-44, with a three-pointer by Lauren Powell. But just like most of the game, Furman had an answer with Lee Stephens hitting one of two free throws to put the Paladins up by two.

Menendez came down the other end of the court and was fouled, draining two free throws for the fourth tie of the game. Western Carolina would tie the game three more times, before Menendez struck again hitting a bucket and getting fouled. She connected on the old fashioned three-point play to give the Lady Catamounts a one point lead, 63-62.

The lead was all Western Carolina needed, going on a 7-0 run to build a five point lead. Furman cut the Lady Catamount's lead to two, when Kelly O'Conner hit a three-pointer with 4:46 remaining, but WCU started to answer buckets as well, and reeled off nine straight points to enjoy an 11-point lead, it's largest of the night. Furman got no closer then seven points the rest of the game.

Menendez scored 18 of her career-high 20 points in the second half. She shot 7-of-9 from the field, 1-of-1 from the three-point line and was a perfect 5-of-5 from the free throw line. She bested her former career-high of 17 points which she set against Appalachian State January 3.

Powell followed with 15 points, and was 7-of-8 from the free throw line. Junior Kristen Feemster poured in a career-high 14 points and had six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Senior center Brooke Johnson pulled down 11 rebounds, her second double figure rebounding performance in three games, dished out a career-high seven assists and had three blocks.

After shooting just 37.5 percent from the field in the first half, 12-of-32, Western Carolina burnt up the court in the second half. The club was scorching with 70.8 percent from the field in the second half to shoot 51.8 percent for the game. The Lady Catamounts were 17-of-24 in the second half, missing just seven shots from the field.

Western Carolina was also strong from the free throw line shooting 87 percent missing just three free throws going 20-of-23. The club also dominated the glass ripping down 43 rebounds to Furman's 25.

Furman point guard Stephens scored 34 of the Paladin's 74 points and scored 18 of her points in the first half. The Paladins as a team shot 42.9 percent from the field.

Western Carolina pushed its winning streak to three consecutive, the longest of the season. The Lady Catamounts have also won three straight on the road.

The Lady Catamounts return home Saturday to open up a three-game home stand, facing Samford. Tip time is set for 4 p.m.