Catamounts Oust Wofford in Cullowhee

Keaton Cole scored 22 points, hit 6 of 7 three-pointers, and WCU never trailed in a 67-57 victory over the visiting Wofford Terriers

Keaton Cole led WCU with 22 points
(Courtesy WCU PR/catamountsports.com)

Western (8-8, 3-1) opened the game on a 10-3run  and led 25-16 on Keaton Cole's 4th 3-pointer of the opening stanza. Wofford (9-7, 2-2) was able to cut the lead to 29-26 on a Karl Cochran 3-pointer with 2:50 left in the half. The Catamounts scored the final 5 points of the half to close out the scoring with a 34-26 lead.

To open the second half WCU scored four straight points for a 38-26 lead. However, Wofford used a 12-3 run to cut the deficit to 41-38 with 14:00 remaining. The Cats responded with a three pointer from Cole and that sparked a 12-5 run that ended with Cole's sixth 3-pointer and a Trey Sumler lay-up for a 53-63 advantage with 7:49 remaining. Wofford would get no closer than nine the rest of the way.

Keaton Cole led all scorers and four Catamount players in double figures with 22 points, Trey Sumler with 12 points and 8 rebounds, Harouna Mutombo with 11, and Preston Ross with 10 points and 6 rebounds. A notable for WCU included Brandon Boggs with 9 points.

Wofford was paced with two players in double figures with Karl Cochran with 20 points and Brad Loesing with 20 points and 6 rebounds. A notable for Wofford included Kevin Giltner with 8 points.

Wofford has not won in Cullowhee in 7 straight tries dating back to 2001. WCU makes it difficult for every opponent to win in the Ramsey Center as they now have won 28 out of their past 32 home conference games.

This game was a must win for the Catamounts as a loss today would have had them staring at a  possible 2-3 conference record following a trip to Davidson.

The Catamounts will next face a red-hot Davidson team (10-4, 4-0) on Thursday, who won earlier today 96-74 over Georgia Southern. Tip-off from Belk Arena is set for 7PM. Fans can listen in on the Catamount Sports Network.