Nov. 14, 2011

Box Score |    Middleton Post-Game Comments (AUDIO)

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -Four players scored in double figures as Western Carolina women's basketball (2-0) won its home opener, 69-65, over Charleston Southern (2-1) Monday in the Ramsey Center.

Sophomore forward Alex Abraham and senior forward Caitlin Hollifieldled the Catamounts with 14 points a-piece. Abraham made the most of the first starting nod of her career, going 4-of-7 from the field and was a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line.

Senior guard Kaila'Shea Menendez added 12 points in the game and freshman guard Ali Lanetacked on 11 points.

The Catamounts also benefited from near scorching shooting from the field with a 59.5 field goal percentage. WCU was also 22-of-28 from the charity stripe for 78.6 percent.

Western Carolina needed the sharp shooting from the field to combat Charleston Southern's deadly eye from behind the three point line; the Buccaneers hit 11 three pointers in the game.

It was a see-saw game for most of the first half. Charleston Southern led by one, 14-13, when Menendez hit a jumper to push the Catamounts ahead 15-14. In the final seven minutes, Western Carolina went on a 13-9 run to lead 28-23 at the half. The Catamounts were clinging to a tenuous 25-23 lead, when sophomore Kristen Lyonmade it a five point lead at the break, draining a three pointer. Lyon hit a career-high two three pointers in the game.

Western Carolina pushed its lead to double digits with 8:25 left in the game. Abraham swiped a steal and Lane hit a jumper, from an assist by Hollifield, to give the Catamounts a 52-41 lead.

Charleston Southern proved it might be down, but it wasn't out. The Buccaneers continued to fight throughout the remainder of the game and managed to cut the Catamount lead to six, 66-60, with 53 seconds left. Lane was 3-of-4 from the free throw line, in the final 30 seconds, to help Western Carolina maintain its lead.

The free throw shooting by Lane in the closing seconds of the game proved fortuitous for the Catamounts. The Buccaneer's Helen Terry hit a three pointer with three seconds left in the game to cut the Catamounts seven point lead to four, 69-65, before the game ended.

Western Carolina had 24 turnovers in the game, 14 coming in the second half. The Catamounts did out-rebounded Charleston Southern 30-24 and each team had nine steals.

The Catamounts return to action at 7 p.m. Wednesday hosting rival UNC Asheville.