Final Stats |   

Cullowhee, N.C. - The Western Carolina men's basketball team came out of the locker room firing Monday night as the Catamounts downed the visiting Paladins of Furman University 72-53 inside the Ramsey Center. WCU has not lost since Dec. 18 and is currently riding a four-game winning streak. The Catamounts shot 68.0 percent from the field in the first half as they built a 18-point lead going into the break.

Senior James Sinclair led the Catamounts with 20 points as he went 8-10 from the field including 2-3 from 3-point range. He was also a perfect 2-2 at the free throw line. He also led the team in rebounding with seven caroms while tying for the team lead in assists with four.

Junior Rhett Harrelson also had an outstanding night connecting on 6-7 shots from the field while going 4-5 from 3-point range. He ended the night with 16 points and tied Sinclair with four assists. Junior Mike Brown added 12 points, five rebounds and a career-best four blocks. The final double-digit scorer for the Catamounts was junior Torrion Brummitt who tallied 10 points on 5-6 shooting. He also picked up three blocks and three rebounds.

Junior Justin Browning helped pace WCU's tenacious defense with four steals. He also had seven points, five rebounds and a pair of assists.

WCU moved to 7-8 on the season and 2-1 in Southern Conference play while the Paladins fell to 3-10 overall and 1-2 in conference play.

The Catamounts came out on fire in the first half and jumped out to a 10-2 lead over the opening five minutes of action. The strong play continued throughout the opening period as the Catamounts slowly pulled away from the Paladins eventually taking a 43-25 lead into the break. WCU shot 68.0 percent from the field in the period while holding Furman to 36.0 percent shooting. The Catamounts also took advantage of nine Furman turnovers, converting them into 16 points. WCU had seven steals and five blocks in the opening period.

WCU opened the second half with a 16-4 run which put the game out of reach for the Paladins as the Catamounts led 59-29 with 13 minutes to play. The Catamounts largest lead of the game came at the 12:21 mark as a jumper by Brown put WCU ahead by 31.

Head coach Larry Hunter was able to get every Catamount into the game and played the final five minutes with an all-freshmen lineup. The Paladins were able to cut into the Catamounts lead eventually ending the game down 72-53.

WCU will be back in action this Thursday, Jan. 8 as the Catamounts travel to Chattanooga for a 7 pm game.