Murray, Ky. -- Despite strong performances from four Catamounts in AC Carter, Tyja Beans, Zanoria Cruz, and Jada Burton, Western Carolina fell to the Murray State Racers on Thursday in a high-scoring 110-79 affair. Carter was one of four to score in double figures for WCU as part of her second consecutive double-double among the highlights for the Purple & Gold.

Carter and Beans finished with 14 points apiece while Burton and Cruz both tallied 13 points, while Grace Pack just missed double digits with eight. Beans finished with six rebounds with Burton pulling down five for WCU. Carter and Chelsea Wooten both dished out four assists apiece.

Two Racers enjoyed 20+ point scoring nights as Katelyn Young and Haven Ford posted 23 and 20 respectively with Halli Poock sitting at 18 points to lead the home squad.
 
After an early game-opening bucket by Burton to put the Catamounts up 2-0, the Racers sprinted out to a 14-8 lead as WCU traded twos for threes from Murray State. The Racer's first four made field goals of the quarter were 3-pointers while Cruz and Taj Hunter picked up most of the Catamount points in the paint in the opening quarter. The two were the only ones to record more than two points in the first 10 minutes of play with six each and combining for 12 of WCU's 18 points. 
 
The second quarter saw both teams explode offensively, combining for 65 points as the Catamounts hit on over 75 percent of their shots, including all three long-range attempts. WCU's best offensive quarter of the night was led by a total team effort, sharing the wealth with four players recording at least five points and seven scratching in at least three for a total of 30 points in the frame. Wooten opened the scoring in the quarter for the Catamounts with a shot from the perimeter to cut Murray State's lead to six, but WCU could never quite close the gap. Cruz connected on a free throw with 7:56 left before half to again trim the deficit to six but the Racer pace extended their advantage to 14 going into the break. 
 
The combo of Burton, Wooten, Carter, and Cruz went blow-for-blow with the Racers to open the third quarter, but Murray State managed to take control of the night thanks to a 20-to-4 run to close out the frame. WCU's efficiency dropped as the Catamounts only connected on five of their 17 shot attempts in the third as Murray State contrasted with a strong 11-23 performance.  
 
WCU's offense regained some juice in the fourth quarter behind perfect shooting performances by Beans (3-for-3) and Burton (2-for-2). Beans enjoyed her most productive quarter of the night to close out the game, posting nine points to break into double-figures for the eighth time this season. Both teams posted 18 in the final 10 minutes as the Racers claimed the 110-79 victory.  
 
Catamount Notables: 

• The Racers were the third top-ten offense the Catamounts have faced this season -  #1 – Tennessee, #4 – Oklahoma, #10 – Murray State); 
• The 189 combined points are the most in a single game since the Catamounts and Elon Phoenix combined for 203 in a four-overtime game in 2008 (WCU 102 | ELON 101);
• The Catamounts have recorded at least 79 points in three straight games dating back to the home 81-76 win over West Georgia; 
• AC Carter has recorded back-to-back double-doubles after picking up her second career double-dip with a 14-point / 10-rebound effort against the Racers; 
• Tyja Beans, Jada Burton, and Zanoria Cruz all recorded double-figure scoring numbers alongside Carter; 
• Seven Catamounts posted at least a 50% FG percentage in the road loss, with Jada Burton leading the team with a 6/9 performance (66.7%) 

 Up Next for The Catamounts 
Western Carolina returns to the state of North Carolina to battle the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on Saturday (Dec. 21) afternoon. Tip is scheduled for 4 p.m. as the game between the mountain rivals will be aired on The CW62 across western North Carolina and the Upstate of South Carolina and simulcast through an online stream on ESPN+ (paid subscription required). The Purple and Gold then look to enjoy some time off for the holidays before closing out 2024 with the Southern Wesleyan Warriors on December 30. Tip for the final home game of 2024 is scheduled for 2 p.m.