Cullowhee, N.C. – Western Carolina women's basketball team battled back from an early deficit on Wednesday night against mountain-rival UNC Asheville, but were unable to keep pace as the Bulldogs claimed a 67-50 win on Ingles Court at the Ramsey Center.
Ally Hollifield scored 12 and Ary Dizon finished with 11 to pace the Catamounts. Hollifield also had four steals, while Joyce Mulumba led all players with nine rebounds. Taj Hunter scored four of her eight points from the free throw line, as the Catamounts shot 19-of-24 from the line.
UNC Asheville (2-2) was led by Aileen Marquez and Kristen McMillan, who tied for a game-high 16 points. Nia Green scored 11 to accompany a trio of steals and three assists. Journee McDaniel (9) and D'yanna Maxey (8) just missed double digits in the road victory.
How it Happened:
The Bulldogs opened the night with five quick points before both teams entered a scoring lull for nearly two minutes, before Marquez built the lead to 7-0. Ally Hollifield connected on a free throw at the 5:45 mark in the first quarter for WCU's first points, sparking an 11-4 run for the Catamounts. Kehinde Obasuyi gave WCU its first lead, 12-11, with 1:05 remaining in the first quarter. However, the Bulldogs closed the opening frame with two 3-pointers to take a 17-13 advantage into the break.
UNCA opened the second quarter on an 11-4 run, building the lead to 28-17. WCU chipped away at the lead, though, twice pulling to within nine before the Bulldogs closed the half leading 35-26.
Down 12 early in the third quarter, Taj Hunter capped a five-point spurt to cut the deficit to seven, 38-31, with 8:09 in the frame. But the Bulldogs scored nine-straight points as part of a 12-2 run to push to a 50-33 lead for the largest lead of 17. The Catamounts closed the quarter outpacing Asheville 8-3, though the visitors held a 53-41 advantage through three complete.
Asheville's lead hovered in double-digits until the final five minutes of regulation as Tina Bowers pulled the Catamounts within single digits with her first collegiate bucket with four minutes to play. However, the Bulldogs scored eight of the final nine points to hold on to the 67-50 victory.
By the Numbers:
The Bulldogs and Catamounts combined for 56 total turnovers, resulting in 37 points for the two teams (UNCA 20 | WCU 17). There were also a combined 52 fouls called, with the two squads combining for 61 free throw attempts in the contest.
Kehinde Obasuyi connected on WCU's only made 3-pointer of the night, finishing with seven points with a perfect 4-for-4 effort from the free throw line. Taj Hunter also had 100% effort from the charity stripe as part of her eight points.
Up Next for The Catamounts:
WCU hits the road for two true road games, visiting Wake Forest in Winston-Salem and the West Georgia Wolves on Nov. 23 and Nov. 25. Tip in Winston-Salem is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the game against the Wolves scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.
The Catamounts will then open the 2025 Baha Mar Nassau Hoops Championship on Nov. 28, as they take on the Clemson Tigers. They will then face either the Michigan State Spartans or the Temple Owls on Nov. 30.
