ROCK HILL, S.C. – Leonor Paisana had an efficient 17 points, two rebounds, and eight assists while Sierra Hunter notched her second straight double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds as Winthrop cruised to their first win over the season against Western Carolina, never trailing in the process.
 
Winthrop (1-7) | Western Carolina (4-5)
Dec. 4, 2021 | Winthrop Coliseum Winthrop 71, Western Carolina 55

How it Happened
First Quarter | J'Mani Ingram scored the first basket of the game for Winthrop and Sierra Hunter made a short jumper to extend the lead. After a miss from the Catamounts, Ingram scored once again to give the Eagles the first six points of the contest. Western Carolina quickly closed within 8-5, but Leonor Paisana made her first basket of the game for a 10-5 lead. The Catamounts scored twice to get within a single point before a Myra Strickland three pointer gave the home team a 13-9 lead heading into the second quarter.

Second Quarter | Caroline De Klauman and Ingram scored the first two buckets of the second period, forcing a timeout by the visitors. The teams then traded baskets before an Ally Ross three pointer gave the Eagles their first double-digit lead of the contest. Western Carolina went on the offensive and closed within 31-25, but two Luka Malinka free throws sent Winthrop into the locker room with the momentum and an eight point lead.
 
Third Quarter | Western Carolina scored eight of the first ten points of the half to draw within a single basket. A Hunter layup, two Malinka free throws, and a Paisana layup quickly expanded the lead back to eight. The Catamounts quickly drew within four and trimmed the lead to a single possession at 43-40 with just two minutes to play in the quarter. Eight points from Paisana followed; then after a basket from Western Carolina, a frantic final sequence ended with Paisana draining a 30-footer to give Winthrop a nine point lead and all the momentum heading into the final period.

Fourth Quarter | The visitors refused to go quietly into the night as they slashed the lead to 51-47 with eight minutes left to play. Every time the Catamounts got close, however, the Eagles had a response. Strickland's three pointer with just less than five minutes to play gave Winthrop an 11 point lead and a steal and fastbreak layup from Hunter extended to lead to 65-51. Winthrop held serve from there and cruised to their first victory of the season. Statistical Standouts

• Leonor Paisana (career-high 17 points, 6-9 FG, two rebounds, career-high eight assists, career-high four steals)
• Sierra Hunter (career-high 16 points, 8-12 FG, 10 rebounds, seven assists, two steals, one block)
• Myra Strickland (16 points, 5-9 FG, 5-9 3FG, two rebounds, three assists)

Up Next
Winthrop has a week off before continuing their homestand with a matchup against Division II opponent Claflin on Sunday, Dec. 12 at 2 p.m. FOLLOW US!
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