Western Carolina Women’s Basketball Faces Tough Loss Against UNC Asheville: Game Highlights and Insights

Cullowhee, N.C. – The Western Carolina women’s basketball team faced a tough challenge against UNC Asheville on Wednesday night. Despite rallying from an early deficit, the Catamounts fell short with a final score of 67-50.

Ally Hollifield made a notable impact, scoring 12 points and grabbing four steals. Ary Dizon added 11 points, while Joyce Mulumba stood out on defense with nine rebounds. The team performed well at the free-throw line, hitting 19 of their 24 attempts.

On the other side, UNC Asheville’s Aileen Marquez and Kristen McMillan led the game with 16 points each. Nia Green contributed with 11 points, three steals, and three assists, helping the Bulldogs improve their record to 2-2.

Game Highlights:

The game started with the Bulldogs quickly establishing a lead. After a slow start from both teams, Marquez pushed Asheville ahead 7-0. Western Carolina found its rhythm, with Hollifield putting points on the board, leading to an 11-4 run. Kehinde Obasuyi briefly gave WCU a 12-11 lead, but the Bulldogs ended the first quarter strong, leading 17-13.

UNC Asheville extended its lead further in the second quarter with an 11-4 run, going up 28-17 before halftime, leading 35-26.

In the third quarter, Taj Hunter sparked a five-point run that cut the deficit to seven. However, the Bulldogs responded powerfully, going on a 12-2 run to push their lead to 17 points. By the end of the quarter, the catamounts managed to narrow the gap slightly, trailing 53-41.

The final quarter saw WCU trying to close the gap; Tina Bowers scored her first collegiate points, bringing the Catamounts within single digits. But Asheville sealed the game, scoring eight of the last nine points to secure their win.

By the Numbers:

Both teams combined for 56 turnovers, leading to 37 points. There were also 52 fouls, resulting in 61 free throw attempts throughout the game. Kehinde Obasuyi hit WCU’s sole three-pointer, finishing with seven points, while Hunter also performed well at the free-throw line.

Looking Ahead:

The Catamounts will face two tough away games soon, taking on Wake Forest and the West Georgia Wolves on November 23 and 25, respectively. Following that, they will compete in the 2025 Baha Mar Nassau Hoops Championship, starting with a match against the Clemson Tigers on November 28.

This season, women’s college basketball has seen increased viewership and engagement. According to a recent survey by the NCAA, women’s basketball games drew record attendance and viewership numbers last year. With growing support, teams are putting even more effort into their performances.

In sum, the Western Carolina team is striving to overcome early challenges. Their upcoming matches will be crucial for building momentum as the season progresses.

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