Cullowhee, NC (Sports Network) - Mike Brown's jumper at the end of overtime
gave the Western Carolina Catamounts a thrilling 56-54 win over the Samford
Bulldogs in Southern Conference action at the Ramsey Center.
Brown finished just 2-of-8 shooting from the floor for four points, adding
seven rebounds off the bench for the Catamounts (13-18, 9-9 SoCon) who won for
the second time in the last three outings to close out the regular season.
Brandon Boggs and Tawaski King both dropped in 12 points and James Sinclair
10 and eight boards for WCU.
The Bulldogs (11-20, 9-9), losers of two straight and three of the last four
outings, were paced by Raijon Kelly, Tyler Hood and Tim Williams all with 13
points, the latter also responsible for a game-high 13 rebounds.
Samford managed to knock down 42.3 percent from the floor in the first half,
but the visitors missed all but one of their 13 tries behind the 3-point line,
before taking a 26-25 lead at the break.
In the second half again the Bulldogs converted just under 45 percent from the
field, but the hosts stayed close and took a 49-45 advantage at the 7:28 mark
on a 3-pointer by Sinclair. Samford eventually knotted the score at 50-50 with
just over four minutes to play and from there both squads came up empty at the
offensive end of the floor.
In the bonus session the Bulldogs got off only four field goal tries, leaving
the door open for Brown and the Catamounts to capture the win.
Samford has played a total of four overtime games this season, all of which
have resulted in defeat for the Bulldogs.
GAME NOTES:
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