Western Carolina holds off The Citadel 78-70

Jan 3, 2016, 04:26 pm

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- James Sinclair scored 22 points to lead the balanced attack Western Carolina used Saturday to beat The Citadel 78-70 in a Southern Conference game.

Justin Browning and Rhett Harrelson scored 15 apiece while Torrion Brummitt scored 14 and Mike Brown 10. The Catamounts (6-8, 1-1) were outshot 51.2 percent (21-41) to 47.4 percent (27-57) and outrebounded 32-23.

The Citadel led 10-5 after a layup by Quinton Marshall, but Western Carolina stayed close. The lead changed hands eight times with four ties before Sinclair hit a jumper and the Catamounts led 37-36 at halftime.

Western Carolina opened the second half with a 14-2 run, but the Bulldogs rallied, pulling within four, 74-70, after a free throw by Marshall with 10 seconds left. The Catamounts finished with four unanswered points.

P.J. Horgan led The Citadel (5-8, 0-2) with 21 points and 11 rebounds, Ashton Moore scored 17 and Jake Wright 14.