College Basketball

Western Carolina cruises past VMI 73-52

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:14 p.m. ET

foxsports

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) Rhett Harrelson scored 23 points, tying his season high with six 3-pointers, and Western Carolina defeated VMI 73-52 on Saturday to pick up its first Southern Conference win.

The Catamounts (6-9, 1-1) took control late in the first half, when Harrelson hit three consecutive 3-pointers to break a 17-17 tie and start a 22-7 run toward a 39-24 lead at the half. The lead stayed in double digits the rest of the way.

VMI (5-9, 0-3) shot 34 percent (20 of 59). Western Carolina grabbed 29 defensive rebounds out of 38 total.

Julian Eleby led the Keydets with 13 points but was 0 for 3 from long range. QJ Peterson added 10 points.

The Catamounts made 25 of 53 field-goal attempts (47 percent) and sank eight 3-pointers. Mike Brown scored 17 for Western Carolina and Torrion Brummitt 11 with 10 rebounds.