Cullowhee, N.C. -- Jada Burton posted the first triple-double in program history as the short-handed Catamounts recorded the fourth-most points in a single game in their 112-53 victory over the Southern Wesleyan Warriors.  

The Catamounts move to 9-5 on the season, marking the first time WCU has earned nine victories before New Year's Eve in program history. Southern Wesleyan drops to 3-9 and will face the Furman Paladins to open 2025.  

Burton's triple-double headlined the Catamount attack, but Tyja Beans and AC Carter earned double-doubles as well with Zanoria Cruz dropping a season-high 20 points in the final game of 2024.  

All eight Catamounts to see game action recorded at least five points in the victory, with seven dropping double-figures in the dominant offensive showing. The 29 team assists are the second-most in a game for the Catamounts and the most since a 32-assist game against Gardner-Webb in 1982.  

Southern Wesleyan took a brief lead after UNLV transfer Taylin Smith hit the first shot of the game, but the Catamounts wasted no time in taking early control of the game with an 11-0 run. Smith continued to provide the Warriors a spark throughout the first quarter, recording the first seven Southern Wesleyan points single-handedly. Back-to-back threes courtesy of Nicole Azar and Reagan Trumm stretched the Catamount lead to 16 before Smith closed out the quarter with two free throws as WCU took a 27-13 advantage into the break.  

SWU battled back in the second quarter, trimming their deficit to 10 with 3:20 to go in the half. The Catamounts answered with a 16-0 run to close out the second quarter, with Chelsea Wooten emphatically closing the comeback window with a buzzer-beating three-pointer, giving WCU leverage in the form of a 55-29 lead.  

The Catamounts continued their run in the third quarter, opening the second half on a 9-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Chelsea Wooten. WCU posted their best offensive quarter of the season with a 31-point outburst against the Warriors as the lead grew to 57 heading into the final 10 minutes.  

With 4:54 to go in the game, Zanoria Cruz slipped past the Southern Wesleyan defense for her 16th point of the day to put the Catamounts past the 100-point mark for the second time this season. Only 20 seconds later, Burton reeled in her 10th board of the day to finish her triple-double before dishing out another assist to Cruz to put the Catamounts up by 56 with just over four minutes to play. The Catamounts finished the game on a 9-4 run over the final three and a half minutes for the 112-53 win.  

Catamount Notables: 

• Jada Burton recorded the first triple-double in school history with a 12/10/12 line. 
• Tyja Beans and AC Carter earned double-doubles in the game as well. Beans is now up to four double dips on the season, while Carter has earned 3 
• Seven of eight Catamounts to see action today scored in double figures. 
• The 29 assists in the win are the second most in a single game in program history. 
• The 112 points scored are the second-most in a game this season and the fourth-most in a single game in program history. 
• The nine wins earned by the Catamounts are the most before New Year's Eve in program history. 
• The Catamounts are currently atop the Southern Conference standings with a 9-5 record. 

Up Next for The Catamounts 

The Catamounts look to keep the good times rolling in the new year as they open 2025 with the Montreat Cavaliers on January 2. Tip is set for 2:00 p.m. at the Ramsey Center. Southern Conference play is scheduled to begin on January 9th at 6:00 p.m. as the Catamounts host the reigning conference champion Chattanooga Mocs. They'll close out the longest homestretch of the season on January 11th with the ETSU Buccs in a blackout game and celebrate Youth Basketball Day presented by First Bank.