Jan. 8, 2011

Box Score |    Middleton Pos-Game Comments (AUDIO)

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Junior Kaila'Shea Menendez drained two free throws, with 12 seconds left, to secure a 60-56 overtime win for Western Carolina women's basketball against College of Charleston Saturday in the Ramsey Center.

The Catamounts even their record in Southern Conference play to 3-3 and improve to 5-10 overall, matching its longest winning streak of the season at two. College of Charleston falls to 1-5 in the SoCon and 4-11, and has lost six games in a row. It is the first time since the 2006-07season the Cougars have lost that many consecutive games in a season.

Menendez had a chance to win the game in regulation. Western Carolina was down 52-51 with five seconds left when Menendez was fouled. She missed the front end of two free throws but hit the second to tie the game at 52.

College of Charleston trailed for over 19 minutes in the second half before Megan Fischer drained a three pointer from the left side, 52-51. It was the first Cougar lead since a four point advantage, 9-5, with 16:26 left in the first half.

Western Carolina led by as much as 10 points in the first half, but College of Charleston went on an 8-0 run in the final four minutes to cut the lead to four, 25-21 at the break. The Catamounts held its lead for almost all of the second half, even pushing its advantage to nine, 48-39, with five minutes remaining, but the Cougars kept clawing back.

Trailing by nine points, 50-41, with 4:04 left, College of Charleston pulled within seven, 50-43, on a lay-up by Latisha Harris. The Cougars were then a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line in a one minute span to complete an 8-0 run. Leading by just one point, the Catamounts had a chance to push the lead back to three, but Rena Wakama hit just one of two free throws to set up the three-pointer by Fischer and ultimately overtime.

Western Carolina out-scored College of Charleston eight to four in overtime. Tied at 56, the Catamounts mounted a 4-0 run sparked by senior Kendra Carroll's jumper with 40 seconds left in OT.

Menendez was one of two Western Carolina players to score in double figures, leading the way with 14. Carroll added 12 points in the contest. Freshman forward Shauna Terry had a couple of career marks with a career-high 12 rebounds and also a career best three blocks. Terry has recorded at lead two blocks in her last three games and has 12 on the season.

College of Charleston was led by Janae Smith who led all scorers with 17 points. Fischer added 12.

The Catamounts struggled at the free throw line hitting 18-of-33 and 4-of-10 in overtime. WCU also hit just two three pointers in the game and didn't connect on one in the second half or overtime. Western Carolina ripped down a season-best 53 team rebounds and limited the Cougars to 41. Overall, the Catamounts shot 31.3 percent from the field and the Cougars shot 31.7.

Western Carolina completes its four-game home stand hosting Wofford on Monday. Tip time is set for 7 p.m