January 30, 2001

Release: Upon Receipt

FURMAN TOPS WESTERN CAROLINA 78-61 IN SOCON ACTION

GREENVILLE, South Carolina -- Furman's Lady Paladin basketball team remains all alone in fourth in the Southern Conference standings after defeating Western Carolina 78-61 Tuesday night in Timmons Arena.

In the first meeting of the year between these two programs, the Catamounts took Furman to overtime before the Lady Paladins were able to pull the 79-72 victory. Tuesday night's game was owned by FU from the opening tip, however, as the Lady Paladins outshot Western 51.4% to 25.0% in the first half to take a 42-22 halftime advantage.

In the second period, the Cats outshot Furman 35% to 33%, but the Lady Paladin advantage hovered around 20 points, stretching to as many as 27 with 3:29 to go in the game.

The Lady Paladins were led on the night by Kim Lawrence's 15 points, while Tara Charles added 10. For just the second time this season every member of the Lady Paladin team played and scored at least two points, and all 12 team members claimed at least one of Furman's 59 rebounds. Leitra Young topped Furman at the boards, with nine, and also tallied a team-high three blocks.

The Cats were led by Christy Blackwell's 12 points, while Marsha McGillivary added 10. Laura Echols and April Fleck shared rebounding honors, with six each.

With the win, Furman improved to 13-7 overall and 7-4 in the Southern Conference, while Western Carolina fell to 8-12 and 2-9. The Lady Paladins will face UNC Greensboro Saturday at 3 p.m. in Greensboro, N.C.