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 Nick Aldridge dominates paint as Western claims SoCon road win. |
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Feb. 3, 2007
Charleston, S.C. - Freshman Nick Aldridge recorded game-highs with 25 points and eight rebounds leading Western Carolina (9-13, 6-5) to a 78-68 victory Saturday afternoon at McAlister Field House.
Junior Antonio Russell hit 9-of-10 from the free throw line in the second half to secure the victory breaking a five-game losing streak to The Citadel on the road. The win also gave Western its best conference record through 11 games since the 1995-96 campaign.
The Citadel opened the contest hitting 7-of-8 from the field to build a 17-6 advantage with 14:46 remaining on the first half clock. The Catmounts chipped away compliments of freshman Jake Robinson, who made 4-of-6 shots from three-point range to give Western a 34-30 halftime lead. Western held the Bulldogs to only three-points the final 7:59 of the first half.
The Catamounts opened the second-half with three's from Brigham Waginger and Brandon Giles to extend their lead to 40-30. Over the next 9:30, the Cats turned the ball over seven times while making only one field goal to let the Bulldogs regain the lead, 49-48. After two jumpers from Aldridge and a pair of free throws from Giles, Arnold Gore nailed two free throws and the Catamounts took the lead again, 56-54, and never reliquished it. Including Gore's free throws, the Catamounts went 9-of-9 from the foul line, giving them an 11-point lead with 1:45 remaining.
Russell finished with 18 points, 14 coming in the second half as the Catamounts shot 52.4% from the field and 76.5% from the line. It was Western's first time shooting over 50% in the last 10 games.
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The Catamounts will stay in Charleston to face the College of Charleston (15-8, 8-3), Monday at 7:00 pm at John Kreese Arena.
