Wildcats too much for the Catamounts in Cullowhee

Tawaski King  (Photo courtesy WCU Sports)  

The Catamounts were unable to take advantage of Samford's loss to UNCG  Thursday night, as the Wildcats kept their winning streak in the Ramsey Center on track with a 79-74 victory over the  floundering Catamounts. WCU dropped to 4-3 at home in the Ramsey Center this year

Samford's loss, combined with Elon's run-away win over the Mocs, places both the Phoenix and Bulldogs in a two-way tie for first place in the North Division at 5-2, while tonight's loss puts the Catamounts in third place at 5-3, behind Samford & Elon.  Each loss moves the Catamounts not only away from from a North Division championship,but the #3 or #4 bye in the conference tournament as well.

Unable to protect the home court, while losing two of their last three home games, the Catamounts went down  as much 17 points in the first half, as the Wildcats went on. a 23-5 first half run, putting Davidson up 28-11 with 8:30 remaining in the half.

However, just like the last time these two played, the Cats slowly chipped away at the Davidson lead, until it was just a one-point game, 71-70, with 1:37 remaining in the game.  Memories of a double over-time game were strong at that moment 

However, Nik Cochran's career-high of 32 points, got in the way of the Catamount come back, as he sank his 6th three-pointer of the second half, giving the Wildcats a 4 point cushion that the Catamounts could not overcome in the final stretch.

Both Trey Sumler & Brandon Boggs put up 22 points for the Cats, followed by Tawaski King with 12.  Tom Tankelewicz got into foul trouble early in the first half, and sat out much of the game, and only put up 1 three-pointer for the night.

The Wildcats gave up 15 turnovers, which the Catamounts were not able to take advantage of, but it was the hot 3-point shooting by Davidson that ultimately doomed the Catamounts.  Davidson hit 12 for 21 for 57% on the threes, while the Cats were only able to 5 of their 13 attempts.

It was a long walk to the locker room for the Catamounts, past a pretty nice crowd that turned out to see a different ending.

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