College of Charleston
Western Carolina
Strong Defense, Rebounding Power Cougars to Victory
1/24/2012 3:14:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston women's basketball team held Western Carolina to 26.2 percent shooting and out-rebounded the Catamounts 50-33 and they cruised to their second straight win with a 54-39 victory Monday at TD Arena.
"We are excited to get the double-digit win tonight," Head Coach Nancy Wilson said. "Western Carolina is going through some struggles right now, but it was nice to see our team step up and take advantage of the opportunity."
Junior Cathryn Hardy led the Cougars with 10 points in what was the 10th straight game at least one CofC player has scored in double-figures. In all nine players scored for the Cougars as junior Megan Fischer added nine points and six rebounds and sophomore point guard Jillian Brown contributed eight points and eight rebounds.
The Cougars (5-15, 4-7 SoCon) used 8-0 and 7-0 runs to jump out to a 26-16 halftime lead as they held the Catamounts (6-13, 1-9 SoCon) to 6-of-32 shooting (18.8 percent) in the opening half.
The Cougars opened the second half with a three-pointer from sophomore Alyssa Frye and a layup by Fischer to extend their lead to 15 at 31-16 with 18:50 to play in the half.
Western Carolina, who was led by 10 points from Diamond Hunnicutt picked up their offense in the second half shooting 10-of-29 (34.5 percent).
The Catamounts had the ball down 13 threatening to close the gap, but the Cougars got the rebound and although missed their first shot got an offensive rebound and a kick out to Hardy, who knocked down a three-pointer to extend the lead to 16 at 46-30 with 6:01 to play.
The Cougars would never lead by less than 10 the rest of the way as they picked up the 54-39 victory and their fourth conference win.
Up next the Cougars will seek to avenge a home loss to Georgia Southern as they travel to Statesboro, Ga. Jan. 28 for a 3:00 p.m. game against the Lady Eagles.
