McKillop Wins 300th in 20-Point Victory Over Western Carolina
1/27/2007 10:21:45 AM | Men's Basketball
Joey Beeler
Recap | Box Score | Postgame Audio
DAVIDSON, N.C. -- Davidson Head Coach Bob McKillop secured his 300th career victory tonight as the Wildcats defeated visiting Western Carolina, 79-59, in a Southern Conference game at Belk Arena. Freshman Stephen Curry led Davidson (18-4, 9-1 SoCon) with 25 points, sending the Catamounts (7-13, 4-5) to their fourth straight defeat.
Brian Westerholt photo |
| Fans honored McKillop's accomplishment with a handsome banner. |
McKillop, the all-time winningest coach in school and conference history, holds a career mark 300-217 in 18 years at the helm of the Wildcats. The five-time SoCon Coach of the Year has guided Davidson to seven regular season titles and six postseason appearances – the NCAA Tournament in 1998, 2002 and '06, and the NIT in 1994, '96 and 2005.
Playing just 25 minutes of action, Curry reached at least 20 points for the ninth time in his brief Wildcat career. The native of Charlotte, N.C., made 8 of his 11 attempts from the floor including five buckets from long range and a perfect 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
Others in double figures for Davidson included Thomas Sander with 18 points, while William Archambault added 10 off the bench.
After the Catamounts clawed their way back from an early 10-point deficit to grab an 18-15 advantage midway through the opening period, Davidson outscored its visitor 31-11 to close the half and lead 46-29 at the break.
Brian Westerholt photo |
| Freshman Stephen Curry lit up the nets for 25 points. |
The Wildcats drilled eight buckets from downtown in the first 20 minutes of action highlighted by four straight, two each from Archambault and Curry, prior to intermission.
For the second time in as many contests, the Wildcats torched the nets to begin the game knocking down 50 percent (14-28) overall and 8-of-15 (53.3 percent) from behind the arc. The Wildcats assisted on all but one field goal in the first half.
Western Carolina closed to within 12 (59-47) at the 7:55 mark in the final stanza, but was unable to inch closer as the Wildcats responded with seven unanswered to put the game out of reach.
The Wildcats shot 44.2 percent (14-28) from the floor and hit 11-of-26 trifectas for a total of 42.3 percent. They entered the night 11th nationally in free throw percentage and helped their 76.0 percentage making 22 of their 27 tries.
Western Carolina managed just a 37.9 field goal percentage and made only 7-of-22 (31.8 percent) from downtown.
Nick Aldridge was the only Catamount to reach the 10-point mark as he finished with 14 on 7-of-11 shooting.
Despite 14 from Boris Meno and nine from Andrew Lovedale off the bench, Western Carolina edged the Wildcats on the glass, 37-36.
Davidson will hit the road for a 7 p.m. tip-off at SoCon foe Elon Tuesday, Jan. 30. The Catamounts return home where it will entertain Wofford Monday at 7 p.m.
Brian Westerholt photo |
| The scoreboard says it all -- "Congrats Coach McKillop on #300." |
