Dec. 18, 2010

Box Score

Dayton, Ohio - Richie Gordon scored six-straight points as a part of a 12-to-4 Western Carolina spurt that erased an 11-point deficit, pulling the Catamounts to within three, 61-58, with four minutes remaining in regulation. However, Dayton responded with 10 unanswered points including 8-of-10 from the free throw line to hold off the Catamounts, 71-60, Saturday night in front of 12,338 at the UD Arena.

Dayton's Chris Wright matched a career-high with 30 points including 10 from the free throw line to lead two Flyers in double figures in securing the win, improving to 7-1 at home on the year. WCU dropped its fifth-straight amidst its current seven-game road swing, matching its longest winless drought since the 2006-07 season.

Consecutive 3-pointers by redshirt freshman Trey Sumler and redshirt junior Harouna Mutombo sparked the Catamount run, with Gordon then taking over. After a turnover on an inbounds play, Gordon was whacked across the jaw by Wright who was attempting to start the Flyer fast break. Upon further review, the officials charged Wright with an intentional foul putting Gordon on the free throw line.

Gordon buried both free throws, and then converted consecutive jumpers to close the deficit to just three, 61-58, with 3:53 showing on the game clock. However, the Catamounts would only manage one additional field goal the remainder of the game while the Flyers pulled away from the free throw line.

Sumler scored 13 points in the second half to pace a trio of Catamounts in double figures with 15 points, adding a team-high tying five rebounds and swiping three steals. Gordon and senior Mike Williams both finished with a dozen points apiece with Williams, who also dished out three assists and made a pair of steals, reaching double figures for the 11th time in the first 13 games.

Harouna Mutombo chipped in eight points and three assists while freshman Brandon Boggs finished with seven points and five boards after returning to the WCU starting lineup.

In addition to Wright, Dayton (8-3) got 15 points and seven rebounds from Chris Johnson while Josh Benson and Juwan Staten both tallied eight points with the latter dishing out nine assists.

Western Carolina (4-9) jumped out to a 5-0 lead out of the blocks before the Flyers managed to knot the game for the first time at nine. The game remained close with neither team able to build more than a five-point lead. The Catamounts reclaimed their largest lead of five, 27-22, with two minutes remaining before the half, but Dayton scored five-unanswered points including a jumper at the buzzer to tie the game at 27 at intermission.

After the break, the Flyers seized control of the see-saw affair, taking the lead for good at the 17-minute mark. Dayton took its first double-digit lead at the 7:24 mark, setting up WCU's rally before closing the game from the charity stripe.

All told, the game was tied eight times and saw five lead changes.

Western Carolina will enjoy a 10-day break for the Christmas holiday before returning to action on Tuesday, Dec. 28 at mountain-rival, UNC Asheville. Tip-off from the Justice Center is set for 7:00 pm.