Western Carolina beats NCCAA's Hiwassee College 95-55

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CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) — Matt Halvorsen scored 26 points, leading five players in double-figure scoring and Western Carolina picked up its first win of the season, beating Hiwassee College 94-55 on Saturday.

Halvorsen was 7 of 13 from the field including four from distance for the Catamounts (1-3). Marcus Thomas added 17 points and eight rebounds, Josh Cottrell had 12 points, Onno Steger had 11 points and five rebounds and Carlos Dotson led with 10 rebounds in addition to his 10 points.

WCU shot 53 percent compared to 26 percent for Hiwassee and had a 56-23 rebounding advantage.

Halvorsen hit a jumper to cap a 15-9 start for the Catamounts and a 19-4 surge in the final five minutes stretched it to a 42-23 lead at the break.

Bryant Bernard led Hiwassee, a National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association program, with 17 points.