Spartanburg, S.C. – Grace Pack led a strong effort by the Catamount offense for the second time in the last three games, tying her career high with 21 points, including a 5-of-10 performance from behind the arc. However, the Wofford Terriers used a strong 40-point second-half effort to edge Western Carolina 71-65 Thursday night in Southern Conference play at the Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium.

Pack posted her 21 points thanks to an 8-of-16 performance from the floor, connecting on five 3-pointers, as all of her points came from the field. Ally Hollifield nearly recorded a double-double, tying a season-high in rebounds with 10 to go along with nine points, four assists, and four steals. Taj Hunter scored 11 and dished out a career-high four assists in the loss, while Betsey Burnett chipped in 12 points and four rebounds.

Wofford's starting five recorded all 71 points on the night, led by Maddie Heiss with 20, Queen Ikhiuwu finishing with 19, and Gabby Mundy chipping in 18. Heiss powered the Terrier offense in the second half, recording 18 of her 20 points in the final 20 minutes of play. Ikhiuwu picked up a double-double with 11 boards along, as well as a block and a steal.

WCU (3-14, SoCon 0-3) returns to the Palmetto State to battle the Furman Paladins (10-8, SoCon 2-1), who just took down UNCG in a 69-56 home win. Wofford (8-9, SoCon 2-1) stays at home to host UNCG.

How it Happened:
The Catamounts and Terriers exchanged blows throughout much of the first quarter, with the two squads trading leads three times in the first 10 minutes. Wofford leapt out to a 13-6 lead following a Queen Ikhiuwu layup before the Catamounts cut into the lead with an 8-2 run, eventually taking a 17-16 lead off an Ally Hollifield free throw. The two teams traded one-point leads before the Catamounts took a 23-21 advantage after one.

Wofford quickly tied the game in the second quarter, eventually retaking a 27-25 lead over the Catamounts in the frame. The Catamounts responded to close the half, posting two separate 7-2 runs to head to the locker room with a 40-31 lead. Taj Hunter and Betsey Burnett hit a 3-pointer apiece as the Catamounts kept Wofford at arm's reach after reclaiming the lead with 6:29 to go in the half.  

The Terriers clawed their way back into the game after an efficient third quarter, outscoring the Catamounts 17-11 while shooting 47.1%. Grace Pack connected on a 3-pointer to put the Catamounts up 51-40 before the Terriers closed the frame on an 8-0 run over the remaining 4:12 before the fourth. A combined 12 of Wofford's 17 points came in the paint in the frame.

The fourth quarter opened with both teams trading 3-pointers, with the Catamounts answering Wofford's baskets throughout the early portion of the frame. A pair of free throws from Maddie Heiss sparked a decisive 12-0 Terrier run, with Wofford retaking a 65-58 lead with 3:00 to play. Hollifield cut into the deficit as the Catamounts fought down the stretch, eventually pulling within three seconds to play.  

Hollifield forced a turnover with 15 seconds remaining in the quarter, but a called offensive foul on a screen thwarted the final possession and gave the ball back to the Terriers, who went 3-of-4 at the line late to take the 71-65 win.

By the Numbers:
Both the Catamounts and Terriers opened the night red hot from the floor, with the two squads shooting 56.3% in the opening 10 minutes of play. WCU experienced a shooting drought in the third quarter while the Terriers continued hammering inside for high-percentage attempts, recording 12 points in the paint in the frame. Wofford finished the night with 42 points in the paint to WCU's 26.  

Wofford won the fourth quarter with their strongest point total of the night, going for 23 over the final 10 minutes to WCU's 14. Over 50% of Wofford's 23 fourth-quarter points came from the free throw line (12-of-16), while the Catamounts only received one trip to the line that quarter and 11 free throw tries overall.

Up Next for The Catamounts:  
WCU remains on the road for one more game as the Catamounts take on the Furman Paladins in Greenville, S.C., for a 2 p.m. tip on Jan. 17. They'll return to Cullowhee to host the ETSU Bucs in the annual "Blackout" game on Jan. 22 before battling the Chattanooga Mocs at the Ramsey Center on Jan. 24.