Box Score |   

The Basics
Score: ETSU 45 - Western Carolina 43
Records: Western Carolina 6-18, 2-8 SoCon, ETSU 15-10, 7-3 SoCon
Location: Ramsey Center - Cullowhee, N.C.

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball dropped a nail-bitter to ETSU 45-43 Thursday in the Ramsey Center.

Western Carolina led throughout the fourth period until a game-turning turnover flipped the game on its ear with 53 seconds left. Leading 42-41, the Catamounts coughed up the ball on ETSU's side of the court and the Buccaneer's Tianna Tarter turned it to two points and an ETSU 43-42 lead.

The Catamounts had golden opportunities to re-take the lead numerous times in the final 17 seconds but couldn't convert -- including the failure to in-bound the ball with 17 seconds left in the game and trailing 42-43.

ETSU helped Western Carolina stay in the game only hitting 3-of-5 free throws in the final 20 seconds of the game.

Western Carolina senior guard Lindsay Simpson led all scorers with 16 points. Sophomore forward Sherae Bonner recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

ETSU had two in double figures led by Tarter's 13 and Shamauria Bridges added 12.

Turning Point
With Western Carolina leading 42-41, the Catamounts coughed up the ball to ETSU's Tianna Tarter who hit a lay-up giving the Buccaneers a 43-42 lead.

Individual Leaders
- Simpson led all scorers with 16.
- Bonner recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 11 points and 11 rebounds.
- Tarter led ETSU with 13.
- Raziyah Farrington just missed scoring in double figures with eight.

Inside the Box Score
- Western Carolina was 13-of-15 from the free throw line.
- Western Carolina shot just 28 percent from the field.
- The Catamounts had 25 turnovers leading to 16 ETSU points. - WCU outrebounded ETSU 42-38 but had just nine offensive boards.

News & Notes
- With a pair of three-pointers, Simpson has hit a trey in the last 13 games.
- Ace Easter had her consecutive double figure scoring streak snapped at eight.
- Western Carolina's 43 points is the second-lowest point total in a game this season.
- Western Carolina has lost by five points or less in the last two games. - Western Carolina has lost by five points or less in the last two games.

Up Next
Western Carolina plays its final home game of the season Saturday at 2 p.m. hosting Chattanooga. Seniors Lindsey Burleson, Erika Joseph, Brianne Mack and Lindsay Simpson will be honored prior to the game.

For the latest information on Catamount women's basketball, follow @catamounts on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com.