Final Stats

CHARLESTON, S.C. - Playing in its fifth game in 10 days, the Western Carolina men's basketball team downed The Citadel in Charleston, S.C., 102-97. It is the first 100-plus point performance for the Catamounts away from home since 2001. Senior Torrion Brummitt continued his outstanding play of late as he led the team with 24 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks and three assists.

Over the last six games, Brummitt is averaging 17.2 points and 9.7 rebounds per game and the Catamounts are 5-1 during that span with the lone loss coming at ETSU.

The win moves WCU's conference record to .500 at 8-8 and its overall record stands at 13-16. The Bulldogs fall to 10-18 overall and 3-13 in SoCon play.

Senior Mike Brown joined Brummitt in double-figures with 19 points, four assists and four rebounds. Sophomore Devin Peterson scored a career-high 17 points while dishing out a team-best five assists and grabbing four rebounds. Senior Rhett Harrelson also scored 17 points as he hit four 3-pointers and was 5-6 at the free throw line. The final Catamount in double-figures was senior Justin Browning who had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Sophomore Haboubacar Mutombo came up just short of double-figures with nine points and four boards.

The Catamounts shot 58.7 percent from the field and were 7-14 from 3-point range. The Bulldogs shot 52.8 percent from the field in the opening half but the Catamounst defense clamped down in the second half and held The Citadel to 26.8 percent shooting in the second half including just 17.4 percent from 3-point range.

WCU once again controlled the boards 42-36 and despite giving up 17 offensive rebounds, held the Bulldogs to just 12 second chance points.

The lead changed 17 times in a back-and-forth contest and featured 10 tie scores.

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 9-3 lead early in the opening half but an 11-4 run by the Catamounts minutes later gave WCU its first advantage of the game, 16-15 with 14:02 left to play. The two teams would trade the lead the rest of the half as the Bulldogs carried a 54-53 lead into the break.

The second half began where the first left off with both teams trading baskets. With 9:19 left, the Catamounts began a 12-2 run that opened up a 12-point advantage for the Catamounts with just over five minutes remaining. The Bulldogs would not go down without a fight though as Matt Frierson hit two 3-pointers in a span of seven seconds to cut WCU's lead to just three with 20 seconds left. Harrelson was intentionally fouled with 15 ticks left and hit two big free throws and Frierson's third 3-point attempt in the final seconds did not fine the mark as WCU hung on for the 102-97 victory.

The Citadel had three players reach double-figures led by Quinton Marshall who scored 22. Derrick Henry and Quayson Williams added 19 points each.

WCU will now return home for its final two games of the regular season. The Catamounts will host Wofford on Thursday at 7 pm before taking on Furman on Saturday at 2 pm. The Furman game will also serve as Senior Day for the Catamounts as WCU honors its four seniors prior to the game.