Feb. 9, 2011

Box Score |       Middleton Post-Game Comments (AUDIO)

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball (6-18, 4-11 Southern Conference) fell to visiting Wofford (7-15, 3-11 SoCon) 64-60 Wednesday in the Ramsey Center.

Senior guard Emily Clarke returned to the line-up, after missing two games, to lead the Catamounts with 16 points. She was 5-of-12 from the field and hit four three pointers in the game. Caitlin Hollifield followed with 12 points and Rena Wakama rounded out the double figure scoring for WCU with 10.

The Catamounts led by seven points, 40-33, with 12:03 left in the game when Wofford made its surge. The Terriers went on an 8-0 run to take its first lead of the game, 41-40, with 8:51 remaining.

Wofford pushed its lead to three points before the Catamount Kaila'Shea Menendez hit a jumper and was fouled, converting on the three point play, by hitting a free throw. Western Carolina again built a strong lead, parlaying Menendez's points to a 10-4 run, to capture a six point advantage, 53-47, with 4:08 left.

The Terriers lived up to their mascot's name, relentlessly battling back in the final four minutes. Wofford tied the game, at 53, off a three-pointer by Kelly Blake and took the lead from a layup by Mahogony Williams.

A pair of free throws by redshirt sophomore Janae' McKinney, with 2:01 left, kept Western Carolina in the hunt, tying the game at 55. Wofford answered with a layup by April Moorhouse that gave the Terriers the lead for good.

Wofford shot 50 percent in the second half after hitting just 30 percent in the first half. Western Carolina ended the contest shooting 34.5 percent from the field. The Catamounts were outrebounded by Wofford 39-34, but did force 21 Terrier turnovers.

Williams led Wofford with 16 points.

Western Carolina heads back on the road on Saturday to face Furman. Tip time is set for 3:30 p.m.