Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's basketball looks to close out 2024 on a high note as it hosts the Southern Wesleyan Warriors in nonconference action on Monday afternoon. Tip-off for the final game of the year is set for 2 p.m. and will be streamed on ESPN+ (paid subscription required) with radio coverage provided by the Catamount Sports Network.
The Catamounts (8-5) come into Monday's matchup after most recently defeating UNC Asheville 77-64 on the road before the holidays. WCU is 3-1 in its last four games. Southern Wesleyan is on a two-game losing skid after falling to Shorter University on Dec. 14. The Warriors' most recent win came against Georgia College on Dec. 4 in a high-scoring 87-83 affair.
Monday's Women's Basketball Matchup:
Western Carolina (8-5) vs Southern Wesleyan (3-8)
Dec. 30, 2024, | Ramsey Center | Cullowhee, N.C. | 2 p.m.
Watch (ESPN+): https://tinyurl.com/bdf74mak
Listen: https://tinyurl.com/8c642zsk
Live Stats: https://tinyurl.com/yzx5bwn4
Full Court Press:
The Catamounts and Warriors meet for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in program history. Coincidentally, Monday's matchup is also the third straight meeting on Dec. 30 between the two teams. WCU leads the overall series 3-0 and took a 70-37 win over the Warriors last season.
There are no common opponents for the two teams, but the Catamounts will be the first of back-to-back Southern Conference opponents for the Warriors as Southern Wesleyan faces the Furman Paladins on Jan. 1 to open the New Year. WCU has only faced one non-division I opponent this year, blasting the Warren Wilson Owls 119-36 in the season opener.
Players to Watch:
Tyja Beans led the Catamount offensive effort in their last game against the UNC Asheville Bulldogs, scoring 18 points and grabbing six rebounds. She hit 75% of her shots in the game, helping propel the Catamount offense in the first half to build an insurmountable lead.
Nicole Azar led WCU in last year's meeting with Southern Wesleyan, dropping a career-high 18 points and eight rebounds in the win. Additionally, Zanoria Cruz nearly came away with a double-double season after posting 11 points and nine rebounds. She also dished out three assists in the 73-34 win.
Erin Stack and Reagan Trumm are the only active Catamounts to make appearances in the 2022-23 game, recording a rebound and two assists respectively.
Southern Wesleyan is led by Nevada-transfer Taylin Smith who averages 14.2 points per game. Fellow transfer Asia Pearley is second on the team, averaging 10.8 points per game. The Warriors as a team have struggled somewhat in efficiency, hitting 37.2% of their shots so far this season. Smith and Pearly are the only Warriors to attempt more than 100 shots on the season and are connecting on 43.4 and 38.4 percent of their attempts.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
WCU remains at home a bit longer as the Catamounts open the New Year with the Montreat Cavaliers on Jan. 2. Tip is set for 2 p.m. in the first game of 2025 for the women's basketball team. The Catamounts then open Southern Conference play with the Chattanooga Mocs in Cullowhee on Thursday, Jan. 9 (6 p.m.) in a game that will be broadcast through the SoCon's NexStar agreement and simulcast on ESPN+ (paid subscription required).
