|
Cats crush Emmanuel for year's first victory
Playing at home for the first time this season, Western Carolina's men's basketball team picked up its first win after five losses by crushing Emmanuel, an NAIA school, 108-64 on Nov. 23 before 432 fans at the Ramsey Center.
Rans Brempong scored 19 points while pulling down 10 rebounds and blocking five shots. Also scoring in double figures for the Catamounts were Corey Muirhead (16), Kyle Greathouse (14), Negus McKenna (13), Trey Hopkins (12) and Lunzaya Nlandu (11).
Patrick McGowan paced the Lions with 16 points.
"We did a terrific job offensively," Coach Steve Shurina said. "We had 24 assists on 40 made baskets. We shared the ball well. Also, it was good for our younger guys to play through mistakes on the floor. Although it was our sixth game in 10 days, I was pleased with our effort and intensity."
WCU took control early as 19 unanswered points, including six by Brempong, resulted in a 25-6 lead on Nlandu's layup with 12 minutes left.
The margin reached 45-23 on Jared Outing's jumper at the 3:34 mark, and it was 50-30 at intermission.
Brempong's 11 points keyed a 21-2 run for a 71-34 lead with 12:54 on the clock.
Western broke the century mark on Nlandu's jumper for a 100-55 advantage with 3:21 to play.
The game's biggest margin was 108-59 when McKenna converted a three-point play with 39 seconds left.
WCU hit 53.3 percent of its field goal tries while the Lions made 45 percent.
Western had a 46-31 rebounding advantage. Kevin Armstrong led Emmanuel with eight boards.
Greathouse and Outing both recorded five assists.
The Lions committed 24 turnovers, and Western had 10.
Completing the WCU scoring were Antonio Russell with seven, Outing and David Berghoefer with six apiece and Eric Wilson with four.
The Cats were scheduled to play at home Monday against Montreat and Wednesday against Liberty. Results of those games were not known at the Herald sports deadline.
Western will meet UNC-Asheville at 4:30 p.m. Saturday at the Asheville Civic Center and return home to face East Carolina at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.
|
