Cullowhee, N.C. -- The 2024-25 women's college basketball season started off strong for the Western Carolina Catamounts, as the Purple and Gold erupted for a 119-36 win over Warren Wilson to ring in the Jonathan Tsipis era. The 119 points scored by the Catamounts tied the single-game record set by the 1982-83 team in their 119-59 win over Berea College. While they tied the single-game record for total points scored, the 2024-25 Purple and Gold squad stands alone in the record book after forcing 30 steals in the victory, the most in a single game in program history.  
 
All twelve Catamounts on the roster made their mark in the game, with every member of the 2024-25 squad posting at least three points in the 89-point home victory, with six shooting 50% or better. The Catamounts put six players in double-figures, with Tyja Beans leading all scorers with 18 points and a double-double, collecting 13 rebounds (eight offensive, five defensive) in 24 minutes of action. She was followed in the scoring column by Chelsea Wooten and freshman Taj Hunter, who both put up 15 points shooting 6-12 from the field. Jada Burton posted 14 points on a perfect 7/7 shooting night while Reagan Trumm and Grace Pack rounded out the 10+ point scorers with 12- and 11-point efforts in the win. AC Carter and Zanoria Cruz finished just outside the double-digit range, posting nine and eight points respectively in the season-opener.  
 
A Game of Runs: 
The Owls found their footing in the opener slightly faster than the Catamounts, jumping out to a 5-0 lead before a pair of Kehinde Obasuyi free throws gave the Catamounts their first points of the season. Warren Wilson's Marielle McNeal put the Owls back up five with a layup before the Catamounts went on 9-2 run to go up 11-8 off a Chelsea Wooten 3-pointer. Warren Wilson responded with a three of their own, courtesy of Moosie Lewis to knot it up at 11 apiece before the Purple and Gold exploded for a 14-0 run to close out the first quarter with a 25-11 lead.  
 
The Catamounts wasted no time in the second quarter adding to their lead, opening with an 8-0 run before the visitors responded with a pair of free throws to break up the Purple and Gold run. Wooten's second three of the night broke the 40-point barrier and gave the Catamounts a 25-point lead five minutes into the quarter, which continued to grow until WCU held a commanding 54-15 lead at half.  
 
Tyja Beans grew the Catamount lead to 51 at the 6:40 mark, though a pair of Zoey Gore free throws cut the lead to 48 with 3:51 to go. Jada Burton put the Catamounts back up by 50+ for the final time as the Purple and Gold continued to add to their lead, which never fell below 50 of the rest of the night.  
 
The fourth quarter saw the Catamounts hit triple digits for the first time since the 101-27 victory over Agnes Scott last season, as Kennedy Hilsenroth knocked down a free throw to put the Catamounts at 100 even. The Owls put together one of their stronger offensive quarters to close out the night, though the Catamounts responded with a 30-point fourth quarter as Reagan Trumm sank her fourth 3-pointer of the night with 28 seconds to go to tie the single-game team scoring record.  
 
 
Catamount Notables: 

• The Jonathan Tsipis era begins 1-0 and tying the single-game scoring record. Three of the Catamount's five-highest scoring games have come against the Warren Wilson Owls within the last eight years (No. 3 – 114 vs Warren Wilson, 1/24/18; No. 5 – 106 vs Warren Wilson, 1/4/16) 
• In addition to tying the single-game scoring record, the Catamounts recorded a single-game steals record, recording 30 in the victory. The 30 steals are the most in a game since the previous high mark of 27 set against the Montreat Cavaliers in 1997.  
• The 45 FGs made in the 83-point victory is the third-most in a game in program history, trailing only the 46 made against Montreat in 2016 and the 54 made against Berea in 1983 the last time the Catamounts hit 119 
• Tyja Beans recorded the first double-double of her career, posting 18 points and 13 rebounds in the season opener. She chipped in five steals, five assists, and a block as well 
• Catamount newcomers Taj Hunter, Grace Pack, AC Carter, and Kennedy Hilsenroth were responsible for a combined 38 points, 18 rebounds, nine steals and two of the Catamount's four blocks 

 
Up Next for The Catamounts: 
The Purple and Gold will be back at home to host the Campbell Fighting Camels on Thursday, November 7. Tip with the Coastal Athletic Association foe is set for 6:00 p.m. WCU will then hit the road for six straight road games, beginning with the Radford Highlanders on Sunday, November 10.