Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina's Southern Conference-leading offense paced by the league's top scorer AC Carter pushed the conference's top-scoring defense early in Saturday's instate matchup against UNC Greensboro. However, the Catamounts were unable to withstand a strong fourth-quarter push by the veteran Spartan squad as UNCG avoided a second consecutive road defeat at WCU in escaping Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center with a 66-58 decision.

The Spartans (13-6, 4-1 SoCon) scored eight-straight points as part of an 18-to-8 run to erase an early six-point fourth-quarter deficit and build their largest lead of eight points. All told, UNCG outscored the Catamounts 20-to-7 over the final frame to rally for the win.

Carter led the Catamount attack with 19 points and five rebounds on an efficient 8-for-10 shooting performance from the field. Sophomore Tyja Beans and Grace Pack, who returned to the lineup for the first time since late December, contributed 10 points apiece. Beans led the Catamounts on the glass with seven rebounds including three on the offensive end, while Jada Burton dished out six assists in the loss. Fifth-year senior Zanoria Cruz just missed double figures with eight points.

UNCG (13-6, 4-1 SoCon) was led by a trio in senior Jayde Gamble, freshman Nya Smith, and fifth-year Khalis Cain each scoring in double figures in the road win. Gamble led the scoring effort with 17 points to edge Smith with 16, while Cain picked up 10 rebounds in the double-double effort.

With contrasting styles on display as the SoCon's top-scoring defense for UNCG met WCU's top-scoring offense, neither team was particularly efficient in the first quarter with the two squads trying to get a feel for the game early. The two teams combined for just 17 points over the first 10 minutes.
 

Carter broke the scoreless draw at the 7:39 mark, giving the Catamounts an early lead they would not relinquish until the fourth quarter. The two teams traded body blows before Cruz knocked down a 3-pointer just before the media timeout that gave the Catamounts a small 7-4 edge.  

Smith answered for the Spartans off the bench, slicing through traffic to cut the deficit to one but Carter responded for WCU, stretching it back to three. The final points of the opening quarter came with nearly 90 seconds to go as Grace Pack, playing for the first time since WCU's win over UNC Asheville, put the Catamounts up 11-6 to close out the quarter.  

Both teams found their offensive groove in the second as the pace quickened with the squads combining for 42 points in the frame. The Catamounts twice took their game-high lead of eight-point advantages coming on a pair of Carter 3-pointers but were unable to push the margin to double digits as UNCG stayed within arm's length as close as four points.

WCU led by seven with 2:05 to go in the half, but the Spartans scored the final four points of the half including a steal and buzzer-beating layup by Gamble to make it a three-point, 31-28, score at intermission.

The third quarter progressed similarly to the second with both teams showing efficient offensive performances that saw the Catamounts outscore UNCG 20-18 in the period. The Spartans hit the first shot of the second half to cut the deficit to one, but the Catamounts answered at the free throw line with Beans and Carter combining for a 3-for-4 effort to build the lead back to four points. The lead hovered between two and four points as the teams traded baskets. A Jayde Gamble three-ball cut it back to a one-point WCU lead for the final time with 5:15 to play. Jada Burton closed out the third with a pair of free throws to give WCU a five-point lead heading to the fourth.  

Two turnovers and a pair of missed shots to open the fourth by the Catamounts opened the door for UNCG and gave the Spartans an opportunity to tie the game at 52 with 6:44 remaining in regulation. Jaila Lee gave the visitors their first lead of the game at the 6:01 mark, but WCU's Pack responded with a layup to tie it at 54 going into the media timeout. UNCG's defense – second in the NCAA for fewest points allowed – clamped down over the final five minutes, though, and the Spartans connected on all eight attempts from the free throw line as part of closing the game on a 12-to-4 run in the 66-58 defeat.  

Catamount Notables: 

• The Catamounts finished 22-of-45 from the floor in the home loss to UNCG, shooting 48.9% from the floor to mark WCU's best in a SoCon game this season – and their fourth game over 40% in conference play;
• Western Carolina limited UNCG to a pair of made 3-pointers on Saturday afternoon marking the second opponent to be held to just two made from range, matching the two 3-pointer defensive effort against Presbyterian;
• AC Carter again led the team in scoring with a game-high 19 points ... She has scored in double figures in back-to-back games – and in 15 of her last 16 games overall;  
• Jada Burton dished out a team-leading six assists in the loss, her sixth such game in her last seven outings;
• Tyja Beans led the team with seven rebounds including three on the offensive end after being held off the glass on offense at Wofford … She has recorded at least seven boards in 13 games this season; 
• Grace Pack returned to the Catamount lineup for the first time since the road win over UNC Asheville back on Dec. 21 …  In her return, the transfer post went for 10 points, her second double-digit scoring effort this year and the most against a Division I team this season. 

Up Next for the Catamounts: 

WCU closes out a three-game home stretch with a pair of home games next week as the Samford Bulldogs (Jan. 30) and Mercer Bears (Feb. 1) visit Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center. Tip-off against Samford is slated for 6 p.m. with a "Purple Out Ramsey" scheduled including pom poms for fans courtesy of Rodgers Brothers and Speedy's Pizza. The Catamount women open a WCU Hoops doubleheader on Saturday with a 1 p.m., tip against Mercer on "Pack the RAC" and EBCI Day in Cullowhee.

For ticket information, stop by or call the WCU Athletics Ticket Office in the Ramsey Center Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit CatamountSports.com/BuyTickets.

Keep track of everything related to Catamount women's basketball and WCU Athletics through our social media outlets on Facebook (fb.com/catamountsports), Instagram (@catamountwbb, @wcu_catamounts), and Twitter (@CatamountWBB, and @catamounts).