Keith enters the record book in win over arch-rivals

Last season Western Carolina did not get their 9th win until the conference tournament against Appalachian State. This season, Western got their 9th win against the exact same team, but less was at steak this time, none the less Western used a strong free-throw showing (30-of-37, 81 %) to knock off the Lady Mountaineers, 71-60 in front of 305 fans at the Ramsey Center. The loss dropped Appalachian State to 8-8 on the season and 2-3 in the Southern Conference. Western made a statement early in this game, as Jessika Johnson secured the opening tip, passed it off to Monique Dawson for the quick lay-up just 6 seconds into the game starting a 12-0 run. Appalachian State, who started the game 0-for-8 from the floor, answered back with a 16-6 run of their own to climb within 2, 18-16 with 6:17 left in the half. Western would not let them get any closer in the half as they put up 4 more points to pull out by 6, 22-16, and then scored 6 unanswered to push the lead up to 10, and would lead by 5 at halftime, 30-25. Appalachian State would keep it close with 2 runs, the 1st one just 1:30 into the 2nd half, by out scoring Western 5-2 to pull within a basket, 32-30 with 18:52 left. Western came back with an 8-0 run courtesy of a 3-point play from Dawson, a pair of Chevon Keith free throws and a 3-pointer from Lauren Powell to lead by 10, 40-30. The Lady Mountaineers used 5 straight points to close the lead to 5, 43-38 with 14:27 left. Appalachian State would get no closer as Western would keep the lead between 5-10 points over the final 7 minutes of the game, with their biggest being 12 points on 3 different occasions before winning the game by 11, 71-60. Both teams suffered from inconsistency as they combined for 50 turnovers (25 each), 52 team fouls (26 each) and 69 free-throws attempted (18-for-32, 56 % for Appalachian State). Western had a commanding advantage over Appalachian State on the rebounds, 54-42, including a 19-16 edge on offensive rebounds. Sophomore, Kendra Eaton, and freshmen, Kristen Feemster. each came off bench to record 10 rebounds apiece. Nine of Eaton’s 10 rebounds came on the offensive side.Appalachian State was led by junior transfer Maria Grimes’ 18 points, including 3-of-9 from the 3-point range but just 3-of-8 from the free throw line. Sophomore Whitney Ketner added 10 points while junior Shante Williams grabbed a career-high 11 rebounds. The Lady Mountaineers leading scorer, junior Whitney Tossie, who averages 17 points a game, was held to only 5 points on the game.Four Lady Catamounts scored in double figures, led by Dawson’s 17 points (going a perfect 9-for-9 from the charity stripe), 7 rebounds, and a career-high with 6 steals. Sophomore transfer Brooke Johnson came off the bench and recorded her second double-double of the season with 16 points and 10 rebounded and tied her career-best with 4 blocked shots. Lauren Powell chipped in 14 points on the night and made Western’s only 3-pointer of the game (1-for-8). Chevon Keith rounded out double-figures with 13, to go along with 3 assists and a pair of steals. Despite only collecting 4 rebounds, those rebounds allowed her to become the 20th Lady Catamount ever to record 500 rebounds for a career. She currently has 503 over 3 years, with a season-and a-half left. She is now 25 rebounds away from moving into 19th on the list.