Jan. 18, 2010

Box Score

MIDDLETON COMMENTS AFTER GAME AT SAMFORD (AUDIO)

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford's (13-6, 7-3 Southern Conference) 12 first-half three pointers buried Western Carolina women's basketball (3-15, 2-7 SoCon) in a hole it couldn't dig out of, as the Catamounts fell to the Bulldogs 80-65 Monday in the Pete Hanna Center.

The Bulldogs built a 49-28 half-time advantage thanks to their deluge of three-pointers. Samford's first three field goals were three-pointers.

Western Carolina proved it still had fight, as it outscored Samford 37-31 in the second half. To Western Carolina's credit, the Catamounts clamped down on Samford, in the second half defensively, only allowing the Bulldogs one three-pointer in the final 20 minutes.

Samford tied its biggest lead of the game, 23 points, in the first 20 seconds into the second half. The Catamounts continued to scrape and claw through the second half and cut the Samford lead to 11 points, with 3:12 remaining off a jumper by Emily Clarke. The Bulldogs kept Western Carolina at bay at the free throw line, hitting 10-of-12 free throws in the final three minutes of the game.

Both clubs were scorching from the field as Samford hit 49 percent and Western Carolina hit 46.4 percent. Again, the glowing stat was the Bulldogs toasty (13-of-22) 59.1 percent from behind the three-point arch.

Western Carolina got a huge spark, off the bench, from sophomore guard Kaila'Shea Menendez who poured in 16 points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from the free throw line. For the first time in four games, Clarke was held below double figures in scoring as she had nine points against the Bulldogs. All but one Catamount scored in the contest. Samford was led by Emily London who had 21 points in the contest.

Western Carolina will enjoy six days off from competition before it returns to action on January 25 at Davidson. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.