Nov. 14, 2009

Box Score

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina men's basketball (1-0) opened the 2009-10 season with a 65-41 win over St. Catharine College (5-1) Saturday in front of a crowd of 1,925 in the Ramsey Center.

Leading by just seven points, 27-20, at the half, Western Carolina shot a scorching 50 percent from the field in the second half to pull away from St. Catharine College. Overall, the Catamounts shot 41.8 percent from the field while the Patriots were just 25 percent from the field.

The Catamounts went on a 21-6 run in the first eight minutes of the second half to put distance between themselves and St. Catherine. The run was capped off by a lay-up by junior Blake Gallagher. Western Carolina built its largest lead of the game, 24 points, off a tip-in by Kendall Russell after a missed free throw by redshirt freshman Sam Smithson.

Western Carolina forced 25 St. Catharine College turnovers and won the rebounding advantage with 40 to the Patriots 35. The Catamounts also had 11 team steals and was led by Mike Williams with four swipes. WCU went to the free throw line just 10 times and connected on six. St. Catharine College made it to the charity stripe 27 times and hit 17.

The Catamounts were paced by Brandon Giles and Kendall Russell who each had 12 points. Senior Jake Robinson followed with nine points. St. Catharine College was led by Ervin Williams with 17 points.

Western Carolina returns to action Wednesday on the road in Austin, Texas facing the University of Texas at 9 p.m. as part of the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. The game will be televised on ESPN-U.