CULLOWHEE N.C. – Winthrop women's basketball improves to 3-6 on the season after defeating Western Carolina in the final non-conference contest of the season on Saturday afternoon, 63-60.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Catamounts came out hot with a 10-2 run to start the contest. The Eagles shot 36 percent from the field and were outscored 22-12 after 10 minutes of play. The Eagles came alive in the second quarter, shooting 64 percent from the field and 100 percent from behind the arc, connecting on five out of eight free throws. Winthrop held the Catamounts to just six second-quarter points and took a five point lead into the locker room at halftime. The Eagles kept the hot streak going after the break, outscoring WCU 17-7. Western Carolina's Jewel Smalls scored 13 of her 23 points in the fourth quarter to make it a one-possession game with 19 seconds to play. The Eagles were outscored 25-13 in the final 10 minutes of play and hung on for the win. Winthrop was led by sophomore
Destinee Jamison-Whitfield who finished with a team and career-high 20 points, while her sister,
Jah'Che Whitfield, finished right behind her with 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds and three assists.
KEY PLAYERS
NOTABLES
- Destinee Jamison-Whitfield recorded a career-high in points for the second straight game. The sophomore recorded 17 points against UNCW on Tuesday and a new career-high 20 against WCU.
- Jamison-Whitfield had 20 of Winthrop's 34 bench points.
- Western Carolina's bench contributed just four points.
- The Eagles won the battle of the boards, 33-30, while both teams recorded 15 points off turnovers.
- Winthrop committed a season-low 11 turnovers against the Catamounts.
UP NEXT
The Eagles return to the Winthrop Coliseum to host Hampton University at 2 p.m. on December 28. This contest kicks off Big South Conference play.
