Jan. 11, 2010

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball dropped a 75-61 decision to UNC Greensboro Monday at Flemming Gym. The Catamounts fall to 3-13 and 2-5 in the Southern Conference while the Spartans improve to 6-9 and 3-4 in the SoCon.

The Catamounts hung tough early in the first half and even clung to a one-point, 15-12, lead with 12:02 left in the first half. UNCG then proceeded to go on a 32-15 run in the final 10 minutes of the half to build a 14-point lead, 44-30, at the half. In the final five minutes of the half, Western Carolina hit just three field goals and was 5-of-6 from the free throw line.

Western Carolina continued to struggle in the second half, but did get a spark late in the game from sophomore Brittany Ferguson. She scored eight of her career-high 12 points in the second half and was perfect from the field and the line (4-of-4 and 4-of-4). Junior Emily Clarke continued to be the scoring bright spot for Western Carolina as she led the club with 16 points and hit two of the Catamounts three treys in the game.

Trailing by 14 at the half, Western Carolina did trim the Spartan lead to 10 with 16:02 left in the game. The Catamounts looked poised to cut into the UNCG score even more but the Spartan's Amanda Leigh drained a three-pointer to push the lead back to 13, 51-38.

UNC Greensboro hit nine three-pointers in the game and shot 41.8 percent from the field. Western Carolina did win the rebounding battle grabbing 42 to UNCG's 38.

The Catamount's 61 points is the most points scored by Western Carolina in two games when the club defeated Furman 66-58.

Western Carolina continues its four-game road swing traveling to Chattanooga on Saturday. The noon Southern Conference match-up can is being televised by SportSouth.