Box Score

The Basics
Score: ETSU 66, Western Carolina 50
Records: Western Carolina 3-12, 0-1 SoCon, ETSU 8-8, 1-0 SoCon
Location: Brooks Gym, Johnson City, Tenn.

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. -- Western Carolina women's basketball dropped its opening Southern Conference game 66-50 to ETSU Thursday at Brooks Gym.

Despite a strong second period, in which Western Carolina outscored the Buccaneers 19-14 and came back to tie the game 30-30, the Catamounts couldn't overcome the 32 turnovers and ETSU's 20 steals in the contest. WCU was also outscored 32-20 by ETSU in the second half.

Sophomore Tess Harris drained four three-pointers in the game, three of them coming in the second period, to pace the Catamounts with 12 points. ETSU's Tianna Tarter led all scorers with 22 points.

Turning Point
Tied at 30, with under a minute to play in the second period, ETSU took the lead for good when Tarter was 4-for-4 from the free throw line to give the Buccaneers a 34-30 lead at the half. From one minute left in the second period until 7:22 in the third ETSU went on a 7-0 run.

Individual Leaders
- Harris scored all 12 of her points in the first half draining four three-pointers. She scored all 12 of her points in the first half. - Moates had 10 points and six rebounds.
- ETSU's Tianna Tarter was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line and led all scorers with 22 points.
- Emily Hatfield just missed scoring in double figures with eight points.
- Angel Allen had a strong game on the boards ripping down a career-high nine rebounds.

Inside the Box Score
- ETSU got 14 of its points in the game from the free throw line going 14-of-16.
- After scoring 30 points in the first half, Western Carolina scored just 20 points in the second half.
- Western Carolina turned the ball over 32 times in the game equating to 29 ETSU points. The 32 turnovers tie the most this season. WCU had 32 against UT Martin earlier in the season.
- ETSU narrowly edged the Catamounts on the boards pulling down 37 to the Catamounts' 36.

News & Notes
- With the loss to ETSU, Western Carolina has now not won an opening Southern Conference game since the 2012 season when the Catamounts defeated Wofford 47-44.
- The 20 steals by ETSU was is the most Western Carolina has allowed this season.
- With the 50 points against ETSU, Western Carolina has now scored 50 or more points in the last five games.
- Harris has now scored 12 points in back-to-back games and has scored in double figures in three of her last four. - Harris has also hit at least one three-pointer in the last five games.
- Julia Brown had just six points in the game halting her three-game streak of scoring in double figures.
- All eight Catamounts who saw action on the court got in the scoring column.

Up Next
Western Carolina continues its SoCon opening weekend road swing traveling to Chattanooga Saturday for a 2 p.m. tip-off. The game can be seen on ESPN3 and heard on the Catamount Sports Network.

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