Final Stats

Greensboro, N.C. - For just the second time this season, the Western Carolina men's basketball team picked up a road win in Southern Conference play. The Spartans of UNCG gave WCU a tough game but it was the Catamounts who held on for a 78-73 victory. Senior James Sinclair went over 20 points for the third-straight game and 13th time this season with a game-high 23. Junior Mike Brown dominated the glass grabbing a career-high 13 boards en route to his first career double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds.

Brown also led the team with three steals. Junior Torrion Brummitt added 14 points and six rebounds while junior Rhett Harrelson completed the quartet with 12 points and a pair of assists.

Freshman Tucker Thompson continued his strong post play of late with eight points, four rebounds and a pair of steals. Freshman Devin Peterson came off the bench to score six points and grab three steals.

The Catamounts are now 11-12 on the year and 6-5 in Southern Conference play. The Spartans fall to 6-17 overall and 2-8 in SoCon action. WCU will play five of its next six games at home as it makes a late run in the SoCon.

Following a game in which the Catamounts turned the ball over a season-high 22 times, WCU limited its mistakes to just seven turnovers.

WCU took the first lead of the game on a layup from Torrion Brummitt as both teams traded baskets over the first few possessions. With the score knotted at four, WCU began an 8-0 run that included an old-fashioned 3-point play and a regular 3-pointer from Sinclair. The Catamounts would lead for the next eight minutes until a UNCG 3-pointer gave the Spartans their first lead of the game at 20-18 with 8:28 left in the first. Sinclair immediately answered with a three of his own to give WCU back the advantage. WCU held a slight lead until the 2:30 mark when a jumper swung the advantage to UNCG. Once again the Catamounts had an answer as Brown and Peterson scored back-to-back baskets.

UNCG was able to come back and tie the game at 34 with 35 seconds left in the first. WCU set up a final play to finish the period and Sinclair buried a 3-pointer with two seconds remaining to give the Catamounts a 37-34 lead at the break.

After a jumper by Brummitt opened the scoring in the second half, the Spartans began an 8-0 run to take a 42-39 lead. The Catamounts would respond a few possessions later when a Harrelson 3-pointer sparked an 8-0 run for the Catamounts. Up seven, the Catamount would not trail again the rest of the game. UNCG was able to cut it to one on two separate occasions.

The Catamounts led by seven with 35 ticks left on the clock and the game looked to be in hand but a quick 4-0 run by UNCG made it a one possession game with just 25 seconds left. After Harrelson buried a pair of free throws, UNCG's Nicholas Paulos nailed a 3-pointer from the corner to cut the lead to just two with 14 seconds remaining. When it looked like WCU would be unable to inbound the ball, Harrelson found Peterson who quickly turned and fired a pass to a wide-open Brown. Brown went on to dunk the ball and cement the Catamount victory. UNCG came up empty on the next possession and Kenneth Hall hit one of two free throws o give WCU its final margin of victory, 78-73.

UNCG was led by Tevon Saddler who scored 18 points and grabbed six rebounds. Paulos finished with 13 points and Kayel Locke added 12.

The Catamounts will return to action Thursday night at home against the Samford Bulldogs. Tip time is set at 7 pm.