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Lady Eagles cant keep up with Cats
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    CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Western Carolina shot just under 50 percent from the field to help secure an 87-58 Southern Conference victory over the Georgia Southern women’s basketball team, Saturday afternoon (Feb. 23) at the Ramsey Center in Cullowhee, N.C.
    Georgia Southern had three Lady Eagles score in double-figures, including a team-high 11 points from sophomore forward J’Lisia Ogburn , which was one point shy of tying a career-high.  Senior guard Tiffany Brown and junior guard Ashley Melson followed with 10 points, apiece.
    The Lady Eagles couldn’t overcome WCU’s 33-of-67 shooting from the field, which was led by six Catamounts scoring in double-figures, including a game-high 18 points from Lauren Powell.  It was a record day for two Catamounts as Powell and Chevon Keith both surpassed the 1,000-career-points milestone.  Keith tallied 10 points, while teammate Jessika Johnson garnered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
    Georgia Southern falls to 16-10 overall and 12-3 in SoCon play.  The loss snaps a five-game win streak that began earlier this month versus UNC Greensboro.
    “Our disappointment just comes from the fact that we didn’t find the right chemistry until midway through the second half,” said head coach Rusty Cram.  “We couldn’t get three on the court at the same time to play good, hard-nosed basketball and that were being productive. 
    “(The Catamounts) were unconscious shooting 50 percent from the field and the three-point line.  We shot about 15 percent (three-point shooting) in the first half and we couldn’t get to the free-throw line.”
    Georgia Southern finished the game shooting 34.3 percent on 23-of-67 field goal shooting, including 2-of-12 (.167) from behind the arc, and made 10-of-12 free throws.  Western Carolina hit 4-of-8 from three-point land.  The Catamounts dominated the boards, winning the rebounds margin 50-33.
    “I don’t think anybody played consistent from start to finish,” said Cram.  “I just don’t think as a team we stepped up today and played.  So it’s hard to single anybody out when you had the kind of loss that we had today.”
    Georgia Southern will return to Statesboro Monday at Hanner Fieldhouse to play league-best UTC.  Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.