Box Score |    CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Freshman Sherae Bonner recorded a double-double, 16 points and 13 rebounds, in Catamount women's basketball's 64-59 loss to North Carolina Central in its home and season opener Friday in the Ramsey Center.

Bonner, a forward from Whitesburg, Ga., scored 11 of her 16 points in the second half and ripped down eight of her 13 rebounds in the first half. Bonner was one of three Catamount players to post double figures in scoring followed by senior Justin Taylor's 13 points and junior Lindsay Simpson's 10 points.

On the night, Western Carolina couldn't overcome the quick start by North Carolina Central. After Western Carolina scored the first point of the game, 1-of-2 free throws by Bonner, the Eagles poured in seven unanswered points to lead 7-1. NC Central relied on the three-pointer early as their first two buckets were treys.

The Catamounts played behind for most of the night. With 9:10 left in the first half the Catamounts trimmed the Eagles' lead to two, 18-16, on a lay-up by Brianne Mack. NC Central answered with a lay-up by Racquel Davis.

A Simpson three-pointer, with 7:44 left in the half, trimmed the NC Central lead back to three, 27-24. It was the closest Western Carolina would get to the Eagles the rest of the first half.

Trailing 33-26 at the half, Bonner opened the second half just like she started the first - hitting one of two free throws.

Down by nine, 41-32, with 15:10 left in the game, Western Carolina went on a mini run to trim the Eagle lead to one, 44-43. In the Catamount's 11-3 run, it all began with a pair of free throws by Taylor. A jumper by Mack, a three pointer by Makensey Campbell and a pair of lay-ups by Bonner got the Catamounts to within one.

Just as they had all night, NC Central had an answer. The Eagles went on a 6-0 run to push its lead back to seven, 50-43. Campbell drained her second three pointer of the night and Bonner hit another bucket and the Eagle lead was back to two, 50-48, with 6:48 left.

In the final six minutes NC Central outscored WCU 14 to 11, including building its largest lead of the game, 11 points, to secure the win.

After a slow start, Western Carolina did outscore NC Central 33-31 in the second half. The Eagles also won the rebounding battle 44 to 41. It was a low turnover affair with both teams giving up the ball 10 times a piece. NC Central just benefitted from its 40 percent shooting in the first half.

Western Carolina returns to action Monday hosting Livingstone College. Tip time is set for 7 p.m. in the Ramsey Center.