Eagles Roll Past Catamounts in 62-50 Win
12/21/2008 5:13:00 AM | Women's Basketball
CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Georgia Southern won the tip and jumped out to an early lead Sunday afternoon (Dec.21) as the Lady Eagles took on Southern Conference opponent Western Carolina. Freshman Brittney Nelson (Rochester, Mich.) scored a career high 13 points and went 4-5 from the 3-point range as the Lady Eagles handed the Catamounts a 62-50 loss at the Ramsey Center, ending their 12-game win streak at home. Georgia Southern improved to a 7-4, 3-1 record, while Western Carolina dropped to 5-6, 2-2.
“I'm very pleased with the win,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “It was a team effort today.”
Senior Ashley Rivens (Charlotte, N.C.) drained the first field goal for the Eagles spurring a 4-0 run to start the game. The Catamounts would not score a field goal off the Eagles until 12:59 in the first half; their first five points came from the charity stripe.
Just over six minutes into play, Ashley Melson (Newnan, Ga.) nailed two unanswered field goals that gave Georgia Southern a 10-5 lead. But the Catamounts cut the lead down and eventually took the lead, 18-17, with 4:57 left in the first half. Nelson answered the Catamounts lead, draining another 3-pointer, putting the Eagles back on top. Her third three-pointer, with 1:20 left, would allow the Lady Eagles to head to the locker room with a 25-20 advantage at the half.
Nelson led the Eagles at half with a team high nine points, all from behind the three point arc, surpassing her previous career high of 3-pointers made of two. Emily Clarke led Western Carolina in the first half, chipping in six of the Catamounts' 20 points. The Eagles held the Catamounts to shooting a dismal 22.2 percent from the field; Georgia Southern shot 34.5 percent.
The Eagles erupted to start the second half, going on a 7-0 run, and widening their lead to double digits. The Catamounts would never cut the lead to single digits following the first media timeout. Georgia Southern would lead by as many as 18 points twice during the second half.
Georgia Southern kept a close handle on Clarke throughout the game, who has posted 20+ points in the last two games. Clarke scored just nine points, which would match the team-high with Jessica Jackson. Two Catamounts held team highs in rebounding with five, Brooke Johnson and Kristen Feemster.
The Lady Eagles shot 40.4 percent for the game and committed only three turnovers in the second half, 14 overall. Western Carolina shot only 32.0 percent from the floor and committed 17 turnovers. Georgia Southern won the rebounding battle, 39-33, snapping Western Carolina's two-game streak of clearing 50+ boards.
Melson scored a team-high 14 points, followed closely by Nelson, who had 13. Leading the Eagles in rebounding was Jessica Geiger (Stone Mountain, Ga.) who had eight, followed by J'Lisia Ogburn (Dublin, Ga.) who cleared away seven.
“The upperclassman really controlled the tempo out there,” said Cram. “Our fundamentals were there in the game. I really think we controlled the tempo of the game. They had to come after us most of the game.”
Georgia Southern travels to Miami, FL next to compete in the Florida International Tournament. The Lady Eagles take on host Florida International Monday, December 29 at 5 p.m.
“I'm very pleased with the win,” said head coach Rusty Cram. “It was a team effort today.”
Senior Ashley Rivens (Charlotte, N.C.) drained the first field goal for the Eagles spurring a 4-0 run to start the game. The Catamounts would not score a field goal off the Eagles until 12:59 in the first half; their first five points came from the charity stripe.
Just over six minutes into play, Ashley Melson (Newnan, Ga.) nailed two unanswered field goals that gave Georgia Southern a 10-5 lead. But the Catamounts cut the lead down and eventually took the lead, 18-17, with 4:57 left in the first half. Nelson answered the Catamounts lead, draining another 3-pointer, putting the Eagles back on top. Her third three-pointer, with 1:20 left, would allow the Lady Eagles to head to the locker room with a 25-20 advantage at the half.
Nelson led the Eagles at half with a team high nine points, all from behind the three point arc, surpassing her previous career high of 3-pointers made of two. Emily Clarke led Western Carolina in the first half, chipping in six of the Catamounts' 20 points. The Eagles held the Catamounts to shooting a dismal 22.2 percent from the field; Georgia Southern shot 34.5 percent.
The Eagles erupted to start the second half, going on a 7-0 run, and widening their lead to double digits. The Catamounts would never cut the lead to single digits following the first media timeout. Georgia Southern would lead by as many as 18 points twice during the second half.
Georgia Southern kept a close handle on Clarke throughout the game, who has posted 20+ points in the last two games. Clarke scored just nine points, which would match the team-high with Jessica Jackson. Two Catamounts held team highs in rebounding with five, Brooke Johnson and Kristen Feemster.
The Lady Eagles shot 40.4 percent for the game and committed only three turnovers in the second half, 14 overall. Western Carolina shot only 32.0 percent from the floor and committed 17 turnovers. Georgia Southern won the rebounding battle, 39-33, snapping Western Carolina's two-game streak of clearing 50+ boards.
Melson scored a team-high 14 points, followed closely by Nelson, who had 13. Leading the Eagles in rebounding was Jessica Geiger (Stone Mountain, Ga.) who had eight, followed by J'Lisia Ogburn (Dublin, Ga.) who cleared away seven.
“The upperclassman really controlled the tempo out there,” said Cram. “Our fundamentals were there in the game. I really think we controlled the tempo of the game. They had to come after us most of the game.”
Georgia Southern travels to Miami, FL next to compete in the Florida International Tournament. The Lady Eagles take on host Florida International Monday, December 29 at 5 p.m.
The GATA Zone - Air Rifle
Thursday, February 19
WBB Postgame - Coastal Carolina (2/14)
Saturday, February 14
Walk and Talk: J.I. Clements Stadium
Friday, February 13
2026 Baseball Pre Season Check in
Thursday, February 12
