Mocs rally comes up short in 69-68 loss at Western Carolina

Friday, February 11, 2011

CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Western Carolina guard Trey Sumler hit a free throw with one second to play that lifted Western Carolina to a 69-68 win over the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in a matchup of the top two teams in the SoCon North Division.

WCU's victory pulls the Catamounts (12-13, 8-5) within 1 1/2 games of the Mocs (14-12, 10-4).

With star guards Keegan Bell and Omar Wattad, suffereing the after-affects of influenza and playing career-low minutes, the Mocs played most of the second half without them. Bell played 10 minutes and did not score. Wattad played 12 minutes and had nine points.

Ricky Taylor led UTC with 14 points including a difficult layup with 12 seconds left that tied the game at 68-all.

Mike Williams led all players with 22 points. Sumler added 15 points.

UTC immediately heads to Appalachian State for a game Saturday at 7 p.m.

See Saturday's Times Free Press for more coverage.