Feb. 23, 2009

Box Score

Spartanburg, S.C. - Wofford tallied 50 of its 81 points inside the paint while Western Carolina struggled in finding a rhythm offensively Monday night as the Terriers avenged an early-season set-back with an 81-66 win over the Catamounts in Southern Conference action at the Benjamin Johnson Arena.

Western managed to warm to 37.1-percent shooting for the game after a 50-percent showing in the second half but could not overcome the 9-of-34 (26.5%) performance in the opening 20 minutes.

The Catamounts missed an opportunity to gain ground in the race for the SoCon North Division crown. Chattanooga (11-7) fell at home to the College of Charleston on Monday which would have allowed Western to close to within a game of first place. Instead, WCU remains two games in arrears at 9-9, a full game ahead of the third-place tie between Samford and Appalachian State at 8-10.

Freshmen Greg Avery and Harouna Mutombo were the lone two Catamounts in double figures with 14 points apiece. Avery finished 5-of-11 with a pair of 3-pointers, while Mutombo scored eight of his team-high from the free throw line. The leading candidate for SoCon Freshman of the Year, Mutombo also dished out three assists and made one steal in the loss.

Junior Brandon Giles tallied all nine of his points in the first half on 4-of-7 shooting for the game, with junior Adrian Gailliard and freshman Keaton Cole adding seven points each.

Wofford put four players in double figures led by 20 from Noah Dahlman on 9-of-16 shooting. Tim Johnson added 18 points and eight rebounds, while Brad Loesing scored 12 and Kevin Giltner 10 for the Terriers.

Western Carolina (14-14, 9-9 SoCon) was held scoreless through the first 5:18 of the contest, missing its first 10 shots from the floor and committing three turnovers. However, the Catamounts only trailed by four, 4-0, as the Terriers were equally as poor from the floor.

Western pulled within a point in the tight first half, 16-15, but it would prove to be the closest the Catamounts would get the remainder of the game. Wofford outscored WCU 19-to-9 to finish the half to pull out to an 11-point halftime edge, 35-24.

The Terriers (14-12, 10-7 SoCon) were able to build their lead to as many as 19 in the second half, 65-46. Western only managed to cut the Wofford lead to eight, 43-35, at the 15:11 mark with the deficit holding in the teens the remainder of the contest.

All told, Western committed 16 turnovers in the game, including 10 in the first half alone, while forcing 13 takeaways - five on steals - by the Terriers.

Western Carolina will wrap-up the 2008-09 regular season this week with consecutive home games, where the Catamounts are 9-2 this season. WCU hosts Samford on Thursday, Feb. 26 for the annual Beach Night celebration in the Ramsey Center. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm.

Then, Catamount basketball will wrap-up its home season with a home double-header which is being billed as the "Catamount Stimulus Package." Admission for Saturday's twin bill is free as the Lady Catamounts host Wofford at 4:00 pm, with the men entertaining Chattanooga in a battle for first place in the division in the night cap at 7:00 pm.