Cats fall to #18 Oregon

Trey's Sumler returned to the basketball court against the Oregon Ducks Wednesday night, scoring 29 points in his season debut in Western Carolina's first loss of the season against the 18th nationally ranked Oregon Ducks.

Sumler's team high 29 points tied his career high for field goals made in a game, while James Sinclair added 17 points and Tom Tankelewicz put up 11 points and Brandon Boggs putting up 10 from the bench.

Oregon's hot shooting combined with the Catamount's tendency to foul the Ducks on each Oregon possession,  became a significant problem for this Catamount team. The Cats were called for a total of 34 fouls in the game, sending the Ducks to the charity stripe for 47 attempts at the charity stripe. Oregon scored 35 points with the clock not running in this give-a-way from the Cats,  for 75% free throw average.

For this team to be successful this season, the Cats must reduce personal fouls.  In the first three games so far this season, they have committed a total of 71 personal fouls, there by giving up a total of 72 points in three games at the free throw line.   In close games, this is a difference maker.  


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