Final Stats

HIGH POINT, N.C. - The Western Carolina men's basketball team tried to make a second half comeback Saturday night at in-state foe High Point University but the Panthers were able to keep the Catamounts at bay down the stretch. Despite trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half, the Catamounts were able to cut their deficit to just four late in the period but the Panthers hung on for a 75-69 victory.

Senior Torrion Brummitt used his size and skill inside to lead the Catamounts with 18 points and eight rebounds. He was 8-14 from the field and 2-4 at the free throw line. Senior Mike Brown continued his double-digit scoring streak with 14 points and eight rebounds while senior Rhett Harrelson made his season debut and contributed 11 points and three rebounds.

Sophomore Haboubacar Mutombo scored his first career points Saturday night and ended the game with 12 tallies after going 5-7 from the field including 2-4 from 3-point range.

Senior Justin Browning tied with Brummitt and Brown for the rebounding lead with eight boards while chipping in six points.

The Catamounts shot just 33.3 percent from the field for the game including 30.6 percent in the second half. The Panthers connected on 44.8 percent of their shots while going 40.0 percent in the second half. WCU won the rebounding battle (45-40) and the turnover battle (11-10) but the Panthers connected on 22 of their 24 free throws while the Catamounts could only make 17 of their 24 attempts.

Defending Big South Player of the Year John Brown led the Panthers with 20 points and nine rebounds while Lorenzo Cugini added 13 points and seven boards.

The Panthers led the entire first half, eventually building their lead to 11 at the break, 45-34. HPU opened the second half with three straight layups to extend its lead to 17 with 18:06 to play. The lead would remain in double-figures until a pair of free throws by Mike Brown cut it to eight with 7:17 to play. The Panthers would push their lead back to 12 before a 10-2 run by the Catamounts cut the lead to just four with 1:05 to play.

The Catamounts did theur best to get closer to the Panthers but High Point was able to hit all its free throws in the final minute to keep WCU at bay. HPU would sink six free throws over the final minute to preserve a 75-69 victory.

The loss drops WCU's record to 1-2 on the season while the Panthers improved to 3-1.

The Catamounts will be back in action this Tuesday as they host Hiwassee inside the Ramsey Center at 7:30 pm. The Catamounts defeated Hiwassee 72-53 last season in Cullowhee.