Dec. 29, 2010

Box Score

Asheville, N.C. - Richie Gordon led a trio of Catamounts in double figures with 21 points, but the home standing UNC Asheville Bulldogs overcame a second half deficit to force overtime and then outscored Western Carolina 12-to-6 in the extra frame to claim their 13th-consecutive home win, 85-79, Tuesday night in the Justice Center.

The overtime game was WCU's first since upending Kent State in Dec. of 2008, and just the third extra session between WCU and UNC Asheville all-time, the first in the head-to-head series since Dec. of 1988.

Western Carolina, which dropped its sixth-straight road contest, had two chances to close the game in regulation from the free throw line, but could not convert the front-ends of 1-and-1 opportunities.

Redshirt freshman Trey Sumler hit a pair of free throws with 25 seconds remaining in regulation to give the Catamounts a three-point, 73-70, edge. But UNCA's J.P. Primm drew a foul four seconds later, nailing both free throws to again cut the advantage back to one, 73-72.

The Bulldogs then fouled Gordon at the 19-second mark, but the senior could not connect on the front-end of the one-and-bonus situation. Coming off the free throw line, Gordon snared the rebound and was again fouled, going back to the line for a 1-and-1. However, Gordon's charity toss rimmed out with D.J. Cunningham pulling down the rebound for UNCA and was subsequently fouled in the process.

With two shots, Cunningham missed the first free throw but sank the second to knot the game at 73 inside of 15 seconds. On the ensuing possession, WCU had two chances for the game-winning bucket as Mike Williams' heavily contested runner missed with Keaton Cole coming up with an offensive rebound, but his stick-back at the buzzer just missed.

The Bulldogs pulled ahead by four, 79-75, early in the extra session before a Brandon Boggs transition slam dunk cut the lead Asheville lead to 80-79 with 1:32 left. However, WCU would not score again as a jumper from Jaron Lane gave the Bulldogs an 82-79 lead and two free throws from Primm with 15 seconds left sealed the victory.

In addition to his 21 points, Gordon added six rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals, while Sumler finished with career-highs of 18 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Williams finished with 15 points for the Catamounts, with freshmen Preston Ross and Boggs both adding eight points apiece.

Primm scored seven of his career-high tying 26 points in the overtime session to pace four Bulldogs in double-figures with Chris Stephenson scoring 18. Guard Matt Dickey scored 17 while Cunningham finished with 16.

Western Carolina (4-10) overcame an eight-point first half deficit to pull out to a one-point, 30-29, halftime edge against its mountain-rival. The Catamounts were able to take a six-point edge in the see-saw second half before the Bulldogs reeled the visitors back in, knotting the game in the closing seconds, forcing overtime.

All told, Tuesday night's game saw 11 lead changes and 11 ties combined.

Western Carolina returns to action in Southern Conference play on Wednesday, Jan. 5 as it travels to Statesboro, Ga., to face the Georgia Southern Eagles. It also marks the final game of a seven-game road swing for the Catamounts. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm from the Hanner Field House.