March 7, 2009

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - No. 3 seed Western Carolina women's basketball won its eighth-straight game and picked up its 19th victory, but more importantly, knocked off No. 11 seed Elon (5-26) 71-52 in the quarter-finals of the Southern Conference Tournament Saturday in McKenzie Arena. The Lady Catamounts (19-11) advance to the semi-finals of the tournament to face No. 2 seed Samford at 2:30 p.m. Sunday on SportSouth.

Nine Western Carolina players scored at least five points apiece and the Lady Catamounts were led by sophomore guard Kendra Carroll who had 12 points on 4-for-5 shooting, including 3-for-4 from behind the 3-point line. Also scoring in double digits for Western was senior Lauren Powell, who had 10 points and five rebounds.

Pacing Elon was a pair of freshmen, Courtney Medley and Tiara Gause, who each had 14 points.

After trailing 35-28 at halftime, the Phoenix came out and hit a quick three to cut the lead to four. However, the Catamounts went on a short 6-0 run to push the score out to 10. From there the score never got below eight again as Western cruised to a 19-point victory.

For the game, the Catamounts held the Phoenix to only 28.6 percent (16-for-56) shooting and out-rebounded them by 14. Western Carolina also altered many Elon shots, recording a season-high eight blocks for the game. The Catamounts held a 38-10 edge in bench scoring.

Senior guard Brooke Johnson recorded two of the team's blocks, and cuts her magic number to five, to break the school record for blocks in a career. Johnson currently has 123 blocks in her career and continues to chase the record which is 127.

The Lady Catamounts pulled down 50 or more rebounds for the fifth time this season with 50 against Elon. The club has now also held its opponent to 55 points or less for the fourth straight game.

Junior guard Heather Swayne pounded the glass for Western Carolina with a career-high 10 rebounds.