Nov. 12, 2009

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina women's basketball officially begins a new era when the Catamounts open up the 2009-10 season at Richmond under new Head Coach Karen Middleton. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. and the broadcast can be heard on Power 90 Dot Five and catamountsports.com.

The Catamounts face the Spiders of Richmond for the first time in school history. First-year head coaches in their first game have a record of 4-5 at Western Carolina, and Middleton is looking to even that score. Overall, Western Carolina women's basketball is 20-24 in games to open the season.

Earlier in the week, Western Carolina was tabbed fourth by members of the Southern Conference media. The Catamounts received 118 overall votes and one first place vote. The Catamounts were picked fifth in the Southern Conference Coaches Preseason poll.

Western Carolina is coming off a 69-48 win over Tusculum in its lone exhibition game. Senior forward Kristen Feemster recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

After visiting Richmond, Western Carolina will continue its road wing facing East Carolina on Sunday. Game time is set for 2 p.m. against the Pirates.