Western Carolina puts away Hiwassee 72-53

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) James Sinclair scored 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds as Western Carolina defeated Hiwassee 72-53 on Friday night.

Mike Brown had 12 points and Rhett Harrelson added 12 with six assists. Sinclair shot 9 of 14 from the field to help the Catamounts to a 48.2 shooting percentage.

Hiwassee stayed in reach for most of the first half and tied the game at 45 in the second with Brandon Carpenter's 3-pointer. Western Carolina stormed away from there as Sinclair and Harrelson each hit 3-pointers to push the lead to 10.

The Catamounts (1-2) closed the game on a 27-8 run, limiting Hiwassee to just three field goals in the final 10 minutes.

Western Carolina limited the Tigers to 19-of-52 shooting (36.5 percent) and forced 21 turnovers. Kaseem Davidson was the lone player in double figures for Hiwassee with 10 and Jacob Elliot added seven with eight boards.