Feb. 4, 2009

Box Score |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball (11-11) dropped its final non-conference contest of the season, falling 73-64, to Clemson (13-11) Wednesday in the Ramsey Center.

Senior guard Lauren Powell led all scorers with 20 points; the second time in three games the Asheville, N.C. native has scored 20 or more points. Powell moves into 10th place in the Catamount record books for scoring with 1,259. She also hit the 200 mark in made three-pointers in her career.

Fellow senior Kendra Eaton notched her first double-double of the season, and the second of her career, with 15 points and 11 rebounds. She was 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from the free throw line.

Western Carolina struggled early as it lost the inside presence of Brooke Johnson who picked up two quick fouls in the first three minutes of the game. The Lady Catamounts played the rest of the first half without Johnson, who ended the game playing just eight minutes, and was held scoreless for the first time this season.

The Lady Catamounts were down by as much as 12 points twice in the first half, trailing 27-15, with 7:08 left. Western Carolina went on an 11-4 run in the final seven minutes to trail by five, 31-26, at the half.

Western Carolina couldn't seem to find a way to chip away at the Clemson lead in the second half. Just when the Lady Catamounts would hit a basket that would keep them in the game, the Tigers would answer with a bucket of their own.

Trailing by 13 with 4:09 left, Western Carolina looked to be gaining momentum when it went on a five points swing. Eaton hit a lay-up, Kristen Feemster picked up a defensive rebound and Powell drained a three-pointer from the right side to cut the Tiger lead to eight, 59-51. However, just like Clemson did all night, the Tigers had an answer as Christy Brown hit a lay-up to push the Clemson lead back to 10 points.

Western Carolina shot 36.8 percent from the field and gave up 20 points to Clemson off 18 turnovers. Clemson's bench also scored 26 of its points.

Two other Western Carolina players scored in double figures in the game. Sophomore Emily Clarke had 12 points and fellow sophomore Kendra Carroll added 10 points.

Clemson was led by LeLe Hardy who had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Western Carolina returns to Southern Conference play Saturday hosting rival Appalachian State. Tip time is set for 4 p.m. and is part of a doubleheader with the men's basketball team. Western Carolina men's basketball will face College of Charleston at 7 p.m.