Box Score Box Score
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – The Wofford College men’s basketball team lost 62-57 to Western Carolina on Thursday night at the Ramsey Center. The Terriers had a one-point lead with 2:27 left in the game, but the Catamounts scored the game's last six points.
Wofford is 14-15 overall and 7-12 in SoCon play. Western Carolina is 10-18 overall and 6-12 in conference play. Wofford was led by Shane Nichols with 23 points, which included five three-pointers. Tim Johnson led the Terriers with eight rebounds. Jake Robinson led the Catamounts with 17 points in the game, while Brigham Waginger and Negus McKenna each had seven rebounds.
The Catamounts scored first, but then the Terriers took a 5-2 lead. Western Carolina went on a 12-2 run over the next six minutes of the game to build a 14-6 advantage. The run ended with a three-pointer by Junior Salters, which was followed by a lay-up by Corey Godzinski. At the 9:45 mark, the Terriers cut the Catamount lead to five points at 19-14 with a three-pointer by Shane Nichols.
Following a couple free throws by Shane Nichols at 7:56 to keep the lead at five points, Western Carolina went on a 7-1 run, which included a three-pointer by Brigham Waginger, to take a 28-17 lead. Shane Nichols then hit back-to-back three-pointers to again cut the lead to five points at 28-23. The Catamounts scored the last four points of the half to take a 32-23 lead into the break.
In the second half, Tim Johnson hit a basket which was followed by a three-pointer by Corey Godzinski to cut the lead to 32-28. The lead remained at four for the next couple possessions until Shane Nichols hit a basket at 16:00 to make it a two-point game at 36-34. Back-to-back shots by Arnold Gore pushed the lead back to five points.
The Terriers kept the game close, pulling to within one point at 42-41 after a bucket by Corey Godzinski at 9:25. After the Catamounts took a 47-43 lead, Wofford scored the next five points to take the lead on a free throw by Noah Dahlman at 7:04. Another free throw by Drew Gibson gave the Terriers a 49-47 lead.
A three-pointer by Western Carolina’s Jake Robinson gave the Catamounts a 55-51 lead at 4:40 in the second. A three-pointer by Shane Nichols cut the lead to one point. With 2:27 left in the game, Drew Gibson hit a basket to give Wofford a 57-56 lead. The Catamounts responded with baskets by Arnold Gore and Negus McKenna to take a 60-57 lead. After a missed shot by the Terriers, Brigham Waginger went to the line and missed both shots. Wofford got the rebound, but turned the ball over with five seconds left. Jake Robinson then hit two free throws to end the game at 62-57.
Wofford shot 37.2% from the floor and 31.8% from three. The Terriers were 72.0% from the line. The Catamounts were 47.2% from the floor and 37.5% from behind the arc and 60.0% from the free throw line. Western Carolina had a 38-24 edge on the boards.
For Western Carolina, leading scorer Brandon Giles did not play due to injury. Terry Martin was injured in the first half and did not return. Eric Wilson fouled out for Western Carolina. Wofford has now lost six in a row in conference play, including the last three on the road.
The Terriers return home for the final regular season game on March 1 against The Citadel. Seniors Drew Gibson and Shane Nichols will be honored prior to the game. The Southern Conference Tournament begins on March 7 in Charleston.
