Davidson College Sports Information
CULLOWHEE – Chris Czerapowicz scored a game-high 19 points as sharp shooting and strong rebounding led Davidson past Western Carolina, 82-77, in Southern Conference men’s basketball action Thursday night in the Ramsey Center.

Czerapowicz, who converted 7-of-11 attempts from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, led four Wildcats in double figures, as Tyler Kalinoski and Jack Gibbs both added 15 points, and De’Mon Brooks chipped in 12.

Kalinoski and Brooks led the Wildcats to a 40-25 advantage on the glass, pulling in nine and eight rebounds, respectively.

Davidson (9-11, 5-1 SoCon) improved its shooting percentage in league play to 52 percent, converting 57.1 percent of its attempts overall and 10-of-17 (58.8 percent) 3-pointers, led by Gibbs (3-for-4) and Brian Sullivan (3-for-5). The Wildcats’ shooting and rebounding advantages helped overcome a season-high 22 turnovers, which resulted in 23 Catamount points.

The Wildcats, who drilled nine 3-pointers and shot 72 percent in the first 20 minutes, raced out to an 18-6 lead and later used a 19-6 run to go up 41-22 with 5:56 left in the period. In addition to forcing 12 first-half turnovers, the Catamounts closed on a 19-6 spurt of its own to cut the deficit to six at the break, 47-41.

Trey Sumler led Western Carolina (11-10, 4-2 SoCon) with 16 points, while James Sinclair and Brandon Boggs followed with 15 and 14, respectively.

After Davidson pushed its lead back to double figures early in the second half, the Catamounts used a 17-7 run to make it a two-point game, 68-66, with just over five minutes remaining. The Wildcats, who led from start to finish, pushed their advantage back to six points, but the Catamounts got to within two again, 74-72 with 1:10 to go.

The Wildcats finished 16-of-21 at the line, which included an 8-for-8 effort in the final minute.

GEORGIA SOUTHERN HERE SAT.

Davidson will begin a three-game homestand Saturday with a 7 p.m. tip against Georgia Southern inside John M. Belk Arena.

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