Western Carolina holds on, beating Liberty 68-63

Nov 16, 2014, 10:45 pm

LYNCHBURG, Va. -- Tom Tankelewicz scored 23 points, including four 3-pointers, as Northern Carolina upended Liberty 68-63 at the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic Tournament on Saturday night.

Western Carolina found the going a bit easier against Liberty (1-2) after dropping their last 2 games to No. 18 Oregon and Virginia Tech. Tankelewicz is becoming a consistent double-digit scorer for the Catamounts and shot 67 percent from the field against the Flames. Tawaski King was the only other Catamount scorer in double figures with 10 points.

Western Carolina (3-2) led 33-26 at the half, but Liberty stayed within striking distance, trailing by only two points with 3 minutes left. Tankelewicz tagged a 3-point jumper and Trey Sumler added four clutch free throws for the Catamounts in locking down the win.

Devon Marshalk had 13 points and John-Caleb Sanders recorded 12 for the Flames.