Trey Sumler scored 21 points, including 17 in the first half, to lead Western Carolina's 95-68 victory against Mars Hill on Sunday.
Mars Hill stayed close most of the first half, trailing 21-17 at the 8:24 mark, but Western Carolina closed the half with a 27-6 run to put the game away. The Catamounts led 48-23 lead at the break.
Tawaski King added 14 for Western Carolina (1-1), followed by Brandon Boggs with 13, Tom Tankelewicz with 11 and Mike Brown with 10.
The Catamounts shot 60.7 percent (37 of 61) from the field, including 42.9 percent (9 of 21) from 3-point range.
Carter Wright led Mars Hill (0-1) in scoring with 15 points, and Khouraichi Thiam pitched in with 12 points and 14 rebounds.
The Lions' shooting was problematic - 31.3 percent (21 of 67) from the floor, 28 percent (7 of 25) from behind the arc.
