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Cold-shooting Cats lose
Elon remained undefeated (5-0) in the North Division of the Southern Conference by edging cold-shooting Western Carolina 50-48 Saturday before 1,550 fans at Alumni Gym.
Montell Watson scored 16 points for the Phoenix while Colin Wyatt had 13 points and six rebounds.
Corey Muirhead led the Catamounts (9-11, 3-2) with 14 points.
Western made just 26.7 percent of its field goal tries. Both teams struggled in the first half, but Elon warmed up after intermission to finish at 44.1 percent.
The Phoenix took the lead for good at 27-25 on Chris Chalko’s layup at the 17:10 mark. It was part of 10 consecutive points, including five by Wyatt, resulting in a 33-25 lead on a Scottie Rice three-pointer with 14:44 on the clock.
The margin reached 38-28 when Watson converted a three-point play at the 12:27 mark.
Five straight points by Trey Hopkins helped the Cats cut the gap to 42-40 with 6:43 on the clock. They trailed 49-48 after two Jared Outing free throws with 13 seconds to play.
Watson made one of two foul shots three seconds later for a 50-48 edge.
Rice came up with a steal before Western could attempt a tying or winning shot.
The Cats led almost the entire first half. They were up 21-15 on an Outing jumper with three minutes to play and held a 22-20 advantage at intermission.
Seven rebounds each by Outing and Kyle Greathouse helped the Cats to a 32-30 advantage on the boards.
The Phoenix committed 19 turnovers, and Western had 17.
Completing the WCU scoring were Outing with nine, Hopkins with six, Greathouse with five, David Berghoefer and Eric Wilson both with four, and Antonio Russell and Negus McKenna with three apiece.
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