W. Carolina pulls away from UNC-Greensboro, 72-51

Jan 2, 2014, 09:36 pm

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Trey Sumler scored 16 points as Western Carolina opened Southern Conference play with a 72-51 win over UNC-Greensboro on Thursday.

The Catamounts (8-8) got a big boost from Mike Brown, who came off the bench to hit all four of his shots, including two 3-pointers, for 13 points.

The Spartans (7-9) were done in by 39.5 percent shooting and 23 turnovers. Kyle Cain had 17 points and Kayel Locke had 14, but no other player had more than five.

Western Carolina took control early, leading 21-11 with 8:44 to go in the first half after a Trey Sumler 3. The Spartans rallied to take a 29-28 lead on Cain's three-point play at 1:57 but Sumler and James Sinclair each had two baskets to put the Catamounts up 36-29 at the half.

Brown had five points in a back-breaking 12-0 run midway through the second half to make it 55-37.