CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Julia Brown scored a game-high 13 points and led four Western Carolina players in double figures as the Catamounts posted a 79-34 victory over Brevard in women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon at the Liston B. Ramsey Center.
Brown, who finished 4-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-4 at the charity stripe, was also responsible for seven rebounds as the Catamounts picked up their third win of the season. She was joined in double figure scoring by the trio of Tess Harris (12 points), Emily Hatfield (10), Tembre Moates (10) as Western Carolina capped off the game by hitting 31-of-65 (47.7%) from the floor and 11-of-14 (78.6%) at the free throw line.
Moates helped the Western Carolina offense by hitting five field goals, the most of any player on the afternoon, while forcing two steals on defense. Hatfield narrowly missed a double-double as she grabbed a team-high nine rebounds (eight defensive) to go along with a 4-for-9 outing from the floor.
The Tornados, who had their two-game winning streak halted, were led offensively by Taryn Ledford and Deja Riddick, who were responsible for six points each. Brevard (4-5) also received five points from Annalee Bollinger and five rebounds each from Whitney DeMoss, Tameka Robinson and Bailey Ray.
Western Carolina led the game wire-to-wire as it used four early points by Brown to establish an 8-0 lead in the first 2:55 of the contest. DeMoss put Brevard on the board with a jumper at the 6:47 mark, but the Catamounts scored the next 20 straight points to move in front 28-2. Robinson closed out the half with a layup for the Tornados, who were limited to two field goals in 15 attempts.
Brown continued to play a role in the Catamount offense in the second quarter, draining a 3-pointer at the 7:29 mark as she moved the lead to 33-5. However, Kelsie Rhyne stepped up with a trey and Ledford found her range from long distance as the Tornados moved into double figures, 43-11, with 2:27 remaining. Brevard closed out the half with a jumper from Ray, making for a 43-13 halftime lead for the Catamounts.
The Tornados enjoyed their first double-digit quarter of the game in the third, taking advantage of early buckets by Williams and Riddick. Jade Napier got into the act with a jumper at the 7:23 mark, making for a 50-19 Western Carolina advantage. Bollinger scored three straight points for Brevard and Thompson added a jumper as the Tornados had 24 points through three frames.
In similar fashion to the third, Brevard again reached double figures in the fourth, as the Tornados scored 10 points in the quarter. The first three points came with a long distance conversion by Ledford, followed by a free throw from Ray. Four of the final six Tornado points came from Riddick, while Bollinger tacked on two in the final two minutes.
Brevard returns to the court on Tuesday, Jan. 2, when the Tornados trek to Spartanburg, S.C., for a clash with USC Upstate.