SoCon leaders light it up

The Southern Conference's divisional leaders got together Monday in Cullowhee. They didn't disappoint.

North Division-leader Western Carolina outscored the South's first-place team, College of Charleston, 100-90 in what could have been a preview of the league's tournament championship game March 8 at Charlotte's Time Warner Cable Arena.

"We couldn't stop them," said Charleston coach Bobby Cremins. "It was a typical Southern Conference shootout."

Western Carolina also couldn't stop Charleston, which set a Ramsey Center (and school) record with 19 3-pointers made.

With player such as Jake Robinson going for four-for-four from 3-point range (he broke Western Carolina's career record for 3-pointers made during the game), the Catamounts had enough firepower to overcome that. Western had five players in double figures, as did Charleston. Cougars guard Andrew Goudelock had a double-double (24 points, 11 assists).

It was the first loss in the league for Charleston (13-7, 8-1), which faces another tough test Thursday at Davidson. Western (16-4, 6-2) rebounded from a loss Saturday at Appalachian State.

Both teams have impressive nonconference victories this season -- Western beat Louisville; Charleston toppled North Carolina.

But now is the time for big nonconference games. Monday, Western and Charleston played a memorable one.

-- David Scott