CULLOWHEE, N.C.? Ana Baker scored a career-high 19 points but Western Carolina placed five players in double-figures as the Catamounts earned an 89-74 victory over UNC Asheville at the Ramsey Center.
Western (4-1) finished the first half with 17-4 run over the final 5:58 to take control of the game. Brooke Johnson led all scorers with 21 points while Ashley Pellom had 14 points for the Catamounts. Chevon Keith had 12 points and 11 rebounds while Heather Swayne and Jessika Johnson added 10 points each.
Baker was 8-for-12 from the floor and 2-for-2 from the free throw for Asheville (4-3). Ashton Barton had 13 points and Kyla Jones had a season-high 12 points. The Bulldogs were a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line in game. Lindsey Montgomery had a team-high eight rebounds.
“Western is a very good team that shot the ball well tonight,” said Asheville head coach Betsy Blose. “We can not give up 89 points and expect to win a game. I thought Ana Baker played very well and is continuing to grow into our offense and we did a good job on the boards. We have to defend better without fouling and finish shots.”
Western held a 27-26 lead at the 5:58 mark of the first half. The Dogs made just two baskets in the final six minutes as Western grew the lead to 44-30 at halftime.
The Cats grew the lead to as many as 19 before Asheville went on a 9-1 run in the second half to cut the deficit to 11 points with 15:22 to play and again at the 13:52 mark but that is as close as the Dogs would come.
Western shot 50 percent from the floor in the game and went to the free throw line 20 more times than Asheville. The Cats outscored the Dogs 22-9 from the foul line. Asheville did hold a 43-41 rebounding edge and outscored WCU 23-9 on second chance points.
Asheville will travel to East Tennessee State on Saturday for a 3 p.m. game. The game time has been changed from the original 1:30 p.m. start time. Fans can hear the game live on uncabulldogs.com beginning at 2:45 p.m.
