Jan. 5, 2011

Box Score |    Middleton Post-Game Comments (AUDIO)

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball (4-10, 2-3 SoCon) picked up its first home win of the season with a 60-48 Southern Conference victory over Davidson (5-7, 1-3 SoCon) Wednesday in the Ramsey Center.

After losing the first seven home games, to start the season, the Catamounts finally got a "W" in the win column at home, but more importantly, added another win in the Southern Conference race. Western Carolina, at 2-3, is just one win away from evening its record in conference.

The Catamounts benefited from seven three pointers in the game, tying their season-high. Senior Emily Clarke came off the bench to hit four three-pointers in the game against the Wildcats. Clarke led the team in scoring with 14 points and was one of three Catamounts to score in double figures. Junior forward Caitlin Hollifield followed with 11 points and freshman Rena Wakama, who got the first start of her career against Davidson, added 10.

Western Carolina led 25-22 at the half, marking just the fourth time this season the Catamounts led at the half, and weathered a flurry of scoring by Davidson to start the second half. The Wildcats went on a 4-0 run to start the final 20 minutes to take a two points lead, 27-25.

Hollifield hit a lay-up to tie the game and the two teams would trade baskets and ties for the next six minutes. Davidson built as much as a five point lead, 36-31, with 15:06 left, but Clarke hit a three pointer to pull the Catamounts within two, 36-34. The game was tied for the sixth time, at 36, when Janae' McKinney hit a lay-up.

Davidson kept clawing back to regain the lead one more time before the game was tied again. After the eighth tie of the game, 41-41, Western Carolina would take the lead for good when McKinney drained a pair of free throws with 8:34 left. McKinney's free throws would spark a 19-7 run by WCU in the final eight minutes to cage the Wildcats and earn the win.

Western Carolina benefited from 27 points off the bench, sparked by Clarke's 13. The Catamounts also benefited from 12 points off 19 Davidson turnovers. The Catamounts were also 13-of-19 from the free throw line and out-rebounded the Wildcats 25-31.

Laura Murray led Davidson with 15 points and was 7-of-8 from the free throw line.

Western Carolina continues its four-game home stand hosting College of Charleston at 3 p.m. Saturday. The women's game is the second of a doubleheader, as the Catamount men host Davidson at noon.