Get ready for an exciting basketball tale that will have you on the edge of your seat!
The Western Carolina women's basketball team put on a shooting clinic, but it wasn't enough to overcome the long-range prowess of Gardner-Webb.
In a thrilling non-conference matchup, the Catamounts showcased their offensive prowess, connecting on an impressive 49% of their shots. However, the Runnin' Bulldogs had an answer for every Catamount run, and their three-point shooting proved to be the difference-maker.
Ally Hollifield, the team's leading scorer, finished with 13 points and dished out four assists. Justice Zimmerman dominated the boards, grabbing six rebounds to lead the Catamounts. But here's where it gets controversial: despite their efforts, the Catamounts couldn't keep up with Gardner-Webb's long-range assault.
Gardner-Webb's Aniya Harris led all scorers with 18 points, and three other players knocked down multiple three-pointers. Makayla Legette and Amina Gray contributed 16 and 12 points, respectively, while Amira Ofunniyin added 12 points of her own. Legette and Ofunniyin came close to double-doubles, grabbing nine and seven rebounds, respectively.
The game started with a slow-burning 4-0 run by Gardner-Webb, but the Catamounts fought back. Ary Dizon and Kehinde Obasuyi kept the game close with their scoring, but the Runnin' Bulldogs ended the first quarter with a slight advantage, 12-9.
In the second quarter, the Catamounts found their rhythm, with Zimmerman and Hollifield leading the charge. However, Gardner-Webb responded with a 12-3 run to take a comfortable lead into halftime, 33-22.
The third quarter belonged to Gardner-Webb's three-point shooters. They went on a tear, hitting six out of seven attempts from beyond the arc. The home team's hot shooting hand gave them a commanding lead, and despite a strong shooting performance by the Catamounts (41% in the quarter), Gardner-Webb maintained control.
The Catamounts fought back in the fourth, outscoring the Runnin' Bulldogs 25-13. However, the damage had been done, and Gardner-Webb walked away with a 77-62 victory.
Despite their season-high shooting percentage of 49% and a single-game best of 25 made shots, the Catamounts couldn't overcome their 24 turnovers. Gardner-Webb capitalized on these mistakes, scoring 31 points off turnovers. The Catamounts forced 19 turnovers themselves, but it wasn't enough to bridge the gap.
So, what do you think? Was it the three-point shooting that made the difference, or were the turnovers the turning point in this game? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! The Catamounts will look to bounce back on the road against the Indiana Hoosiers on December 21st.
