Nov. 29, 2011

Final Stats |   

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -Western Carolina women's basketball (4-3) suffered a 64-59 set-back to Georgia State (2-3) Tuesday in the Ramsey Center.

The Catamounts never led in the contest and trailed by as much as 14 points in the first half. Western Carolina did trim the Panthers' first half lead to seven, 28-21, by going on a 6-3 run in the final four minutes.

It was a battle by both teams in the second half. Western Carolina got within one point on Georgia State, 30-29, with 15:12 left when the Catamounts Shauna Terryhit a jumper. Just as they did all game, the Panthers had an answer when Kendra Long pushed the lead back to three points with a jumper.

Western Carolina fought to the bitter, end and even turned the game into a nail-bitter, when Rena Wakamahit a lay-up with 2:03 left to make the score 58-53. The Panther's Ashley Watson hit 1-of-2 free throws to put Georgia State back up to four points, 59-55.

Georgia State was 3-of-4 from the charity stripe, and nailed a lay-up, in the final 1:18 of the game to nail down the win. Wakama hit a jumper in the final two seconds of the game to push her point total to 14 which led the Catamounts.

Western Carolina won the battle of the glass, ripping down 41 rebounds to Georgia State's 31. The Catamounts also had 11 steals in the game, but the game was won at the free throw line. The Panthers earned 35 trips to the charity stripe, hitting 24.

In total, the Catamounts had four players score in double figures. After Wakama's 14, redshirt junior forward Janae' McKinney added a season-high 12, Kaila'Shea Menendez poured in 11 and sophomore guard Kristen Lyontacked on a career-high 10 points.

Western Carolina opens Southern Conference play on Saturday hosting Davidson. The game tips off at 2 p.m. and is part of a doubleheader with men's basketball who hosts UNCG.