W. Carolina 72, The Citadel 55

Jan 5, 2013, 09:38 pm

CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Trey Sumler scored 17 points and Tom Tankelewicz chipped in 14 to lead Western Carolina to a 72-55 Southern Conference victory over The Citadel on Saturday night.

Preston Ross scored 11 points and Brandon Boggs chipped in 10 for the Catamounts (5-9, 3-0), who are 3-0 in the league for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Sumler also had six assists, four steals and four rebounds. Western Carolina had lost three in a row, but two of the losses came to Georgetown (81-68) and Tennessee (66-52).

Marshall Harris III and P.J. Horgan scored 10 points apiece for the Bulldogs (3-9, 0-2), who have lost eight in a row.

The Catamounts led 36-25 at halftime and the closest the Bulldogs got in the second half was six points twice, the last at 46-40 on Mike Groselle's layup with 8:36 to go.

The Catamounts won the turnover battle 16-9.