Feb. 21, 2009

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Southern Conference Freshman of the Year candidate Harouna Mutombo scored 15 points to lead Western Carolina past UNC Greensboro 69-56 on Saturday afternoon at Fleming Gymnasium.

The win snapped WCU's seven-game winless skid on the road as the Catamounts first road victory since Jan. 3, 2009 in the conference opener at Furman. It also ended a two-game drought against UNCG.

The Catamounts (14-13, 9-8 Southern Conference) never trailed, taking a 39-20 lead into halftime and then increasing the margin to a game-high 23 points at 54-31 with 13:53 left.

The Spartans (4-23, 3-15) pulled no closer than 13 the rest of the game, losing their fifth straight contest and 11th of the last 12 to remain winless at home this season.

Western Carolina limited UNCG to an opponent season-low 30.9 percent (17-of-55). The Spartans went 18-for-31 from the free-throw line.

Brandon Giles added 13 points for the Catamounts. Richie Gordon and Brigham Waginger scored 10 apiece. Waginger had a solid performance, leading the team with eight rebounds while making six steals and dishing out six assists in the win.

Junior Jake Robinson moved into sole possession of third place on Western's career 3-pointers made chart with two made treys against the Spartans, by-passing Kyle Greathouse (2003-07).

Damian Eargle was the only UNC Greensboro player in double figures with 17 points.

Western Carolina (9-8) maintained the two-game deficit to first-place Chattanooga (11-6), which won its fourth-straight with a home victory over third-place, Samford (8-10), on Saturday. Appalachian State is tied for third also with an 8-10 SoCon ledger.

Western Carolina visits Wofford (13-12, 9-7 SoCon) in Spartanburg, S.C., on Monday night in the Catamounts' final road game of the regular season. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. Catamount Sports Network coverage will be available on 680 AM WRGC, Sylva and 1590 WBHN AM in Bryson City.