February 21, 2004
CATAMOUNTS SNAP FURMAN’S SEVEN GAME WIN STREAK
CULLOWHEE, North Carolina -- Furman’s seven-game win streak, dating back to Jan. 24, 2004, was snapped Saturday when the Catamounts of Western Carolina claimed a 66-58 victory over the Lady Paladins at the Ramsey Center.
The Cats jumped out to an early lead and Furman trailed by 15 at the break, the biggest Lady Paladin halftime deficit since FU trailed No. 9 Georgia 40-19 on Dec. 17. Tiffany Hamm lit up the Lady Paladins for 13 points in the first period while Jennifer Garner added 10 and Yoneko Allen added six. The entire Furman offense put up only 25 points and was led by Lauren Few and Katie Roach, who each scored six. The Catamounts handled the Furman press easily, commiting just nine turnovers and shooting 51.7% from the field while outrebounding the Lady Paladins 24-14.
In the second period the Lady Paladins went on a 14-8 run to start the half and pull to within nine, 48-39 with 10:47 left to play. Though Furman closed to gap to two, 58-56, with 2:19 left in the game, WCU’s Jennifer Garner scored seven of her 23 points in the final 2:11 to ensure the Western Carolina victory.
Furman was led on the afternoon by Katie Roach’s 14 points and Orion Wake’s eight rebounds. Kim Lawrence and Lauren Few each added 10 points, while Deshara Shealey dished off three assists and Lawrence claimed five steals, but as a team the Lady Paladins only shot 35.6% from the field and were outrebounded by 10 - the most of any game this season.
The Catamounts were paced by Garner’s 23 and Tiffany Hamms’ 18 points and 12 rebounds. In addition, Yoneko Allen and Christy Blackwell each dished off four assists,while Blackwell also nabbed four steals.
With the win Western Carolina improved to 10-15 overall and 9-9 in the Southern Conference, while Furman fell to 16-9 overall and 13-5 in league play. The Lady Paladins will host Davidson on Thursday, Feb. 26, in a 7 p.m. game at Timmons Arena.