Box Score

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball put together a strong second-half, but couldn't overcome its first half malaise, dropping its final game of 2014 to Wake Forest 77-59 Wednesday at LJVM Coliseum on New Year's Eve.

Western Carolina falls to 7-6 on the season and ends the month of December with a 4-3 record. Wake Forest improves to 9-5.

The Catamounts scored 22 points in the first 10 minutes, of the second half, eclipsing its point total of 14 points in the first half. After scoring the 14 first-half points, and struggling from the field, Western Carolina shot an impressive 61.5 percent in the second half.

The Catamounts outscored the Demon Deacons 45-32 in the final 20 minutes. After failing to connect on a three-pointer in the first half, Western Carolina notched two in the second half - both by senior Makensey Campbell. With the pair of three-pointers, Campbell now has 127 in her career and takes over fourth place in the Catamount record books.

Campbell ended the game with 10 points. She was one of three Catamount players to score in double figures with Ace Easter and Justin Taylor each adding 10 points.

Taylor almost had her consecutive double figure scoring streak snapped as she was sitting at eight points with 1:01 left in the game. Taylor was fouled and drained both free throws pushing her point total to 10 - and has now scored in double figures in 18 consecutive games dating back to the 2013-14 season.

Western Carolina took the early lead, off a 15-foot jumper by freshman guard Easter, to open the game. However, it was Wake Forest the rest of the way. Wake Forest scored eight unanswered points, after Western Carolina's opening bucket. The Catamounts scored just six points in the first 16 minutes of the game.

Easter's pair of free throws, with 4:25 left in the first half, were the first points for Western Carolina since Erika Joseph scored a field goal at 16:56. During that span, Wake Forest scored 22 unanswered points.

Western Carolina scored eight points in the final four minutes of the first half with six of its points coming from the free throw line. The Catamounts hit just four field goals in the first half. The 14 first-half points was the lowest scoring point total, in a first half, for Western Carolina this season.

The Demon Deacons scorched the court shooting 60 percent in the first half to build a 45-14 lead at the half.

Overall, Western Carolina ended the game shooting 42.6 percent from the field while Wake Forest was 50.7. The Catamounts made the most of its trips to the free throw line hitting 17-of-22 for 77.3 percent. Wake Forest won the rebounding battle 42-28 and WCU had just seven offensive rebounds. Wake Forest also got 56 points inside the paint.

Dearica Hamby led Wake Forest with a double-double, 15 points and 10 rebounds. She was followed by Nicole Floyd and Amber Campbell who each added 11.

Western Carolina continues its road swing as it motors its way to Daytona Beach, Fla. The Catamounts will face Bethune-Cookman at 2 p.m. Saturday. Fans can listen to the game online at catamountsports.com and follow scoring updates on Twitter at @catamounts.

Notes

Junior Erika Joseph got her first start of the season, against Wake Forest, after missing 10 games due to an injury and coming off the bench in the last two games.

Justin Taylor scored all 10 of her points in the second half.

Junior forward Lindsey Burleson scored a career-high four points against Wake Forest.

Ace Easter has scored in double figures four times this season, after scoring 10 points at Wake Forest.