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Lady Paladins Outlast Western Carolina 75-65
Dec. 11, 2004
CULLOWHEE, North Carolina - Furman junior Princess Wells scored a career-high 19 points, including eight in a row late in the second half, to help Furman outlast the Western Carolina Lady Cats 75-65 Saturday evening in the Ramsey Center.
Furman held a solid 14-point advantage at the half time break, but with a 57-37 lead at 10:55 in the second period a rash of Furman turnovers and missed shots allowed a 13-0 Catamount run that put WCU seven back, 57-50, with 6:42 to play. Furman stretched its lead back to 13 on a Jessica Lange jumper, but the Cats rebounded again and pulled to within four, 67-63 with 1:59 to play. From the 3:02 mark until the end of the game, Wells sank eight consecutive free throws to help Furman hold its lead. With the Lady Paladins up by eight and 11 seconds left to play, Jen Nadalin sealed the victory with two more free shots, giving Furman 10 consecutive points at the line to sew up the game.
In addition to Wells' 19 point performance, Katie Roach and Melynda Gant each scored 12, while Jen Nadalin added 11 to the Furman effort. Roach also topped the Lady Paladins at the boards, with nine rebounds, while Tommi Paris, who sat out much of the second half due to foul trouble, led the team with four assists. On the night, the team made 21-of-26 free throws for an .808 mark from the line.
The Catamoutns were paced in the game by Teyawna Hardy and Jennifer Gardner, who each scored 12. Monique Dawson added 11, while Ashley Pellom topped playmaking with five assists. For the first time this season the Lady Paladins recorded more turnovers than their opponents, committing 18 while forcing the Lady Cats into 17.
With the win Furman improves to 6-1 overall and 2-0 in the Southern Conference. The Lady Cats, under the direction of first-year head coach Kelly Harper, fall to 5-4 and 1-2 in the SoCon. After a short break for exams, the Lady Paladins return to action on Monday, Dec. 11, with a 7 p.m. game at East Tennessee State.
