Game Information
Matchup: Wofford (5-9, 0-0 SoCon) vs. Western Carolina (6-8, 0-0 SoCon)
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium (Spartanburg, S.C.)
Series: Western Carolina leads, 21-35
 
Wofford begins Southern Conference play by hosting the Western Carolina Catamounts at Jerry Richardson Indoor Stadium on Thursday, Jan. 6. The Terriers are 6-18 all-time in SoCon openers, but with head coach Jimmy Garrity at the helm, Wofford is 3-2 in league openers. The Catamounts lead the all-time series with Wofford, 21-35, and won the previous matchup 65-54 on Jan. 23, 2021 last season. However, the Terriers enter as winners of five of the previous six contests, and Garrity is 7-3 in his career against Western Carolina. This 57^th meeting between the squads will be the first in Spartanburg, S.C. since Jan. 23, 2020, as the previous three matchups were played in Cullowhee, N.C.
 
The Catamounts enter the contest with a 6-8 record fresh off a 79-23 drubbing of Montreat. Western Carolina has boasted a stout defense, sitting second in the SoCon in scoring defense (56.2 PPG) and tied for second in steals (8.7 SPG). The Catamounts also rebound well, topping the league in rebounding margin (+9.2) and rebounding defense (29.1 RPG), while sitting second in rebounding (38.3 RPG). Offensively, Western Carolina shoots well overall with a conference-best 41.2 percent. However, they have struggled from beyond the arc, posting a conference-worst 22.3 percent from three. The Catamounts are led by Nadia Marshall, who leads the squad in scoring (11.6 PPG) and rebounding (7.0 RPG). These marks are good for eighth and seventh in the league, respectively.
 
Wofford enters with a 5-9 overall record, also fresh off a lopsided victory, 72-26 over Erskine. This win snapped a three-game losing skid for the Terriers. Wofford is led by a pair of seniors in two of the major statistical categories, as Jackie Carman tops the squad in scoring (11.6 PPG) and Alexis Tomlin leads in rebounding (7.2 RPG). However, it's freshman Reagan Rapert who has been distributing the ball the best with her 2.7 APG.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Wofford dominated the Erskine Flying Fleet at home the begin the new year, picking up a 72-26 triumph to start 2022 and conclude non-conference play. The 26 points allowed are the fewest Wofford has ever allowed in a game. The Terriers shot 45.6 percent from the field and 45.2 percent beyond the arc while holding Erskine to just 17.6 percent overall, 18.5 percent from three. The Terriers swished 14 threes, which tied for second-best all-time in single game in program history. Though both teams committed 16 turnovers apiece, Wofford made more of its extra chances with 24 points off turnovers. The Terriers dominated the boards, 42-19, leading to 21 second chance points. Annabelle Schultz led the way with her first-career double-double with career-highs in points (17) and rebounds (12). She also drained a career-high five threes. Jackie Carman (12) and Sydnee Richetto (10) also boasted double-digit scoring. Helen Matthews led with five assists, and she also claimed eight boards to tie her career-high.
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Wofford's victory over Erskine snapped a three-game losing skid and marks the fifth-straight season in which the Terriers won both their final non-conference game and first game of the new year.
 
FORGED BY FIRE
The Terriers boasted a challenging non-conference schedule to prepare for Southern Conference play. Wofford's non-conference opponents currently tout a combined 95-68 record. Excluding the three non-Division I opponents, the record becomes 87-49. Seven of the 11 DI opponents on the schedule currently hold records above .500. Wofford's non-conference slate included the program's first-ever trip to the Preseason WNIT Classic and featured three Power Five teams, including a ranked team in No. 5 NC State.
 
GOLDEN GIRL
Wearing the gold alternate uniforms for just the second time this season, Annabelle Schultz posted her first-career double-double against Erskine with 17 points and 12 rebounds, both career-highs. She also boasted new career-bests with five three-pointers and 27 minutes while tying a career-high with four assists. This is the second time this season she has topped her career-best marks in scoring and three-pointers, the last time coming against No. 5 NC State when she dropped 16 points and four triples. The Terriers also wore gold in that game.
 
JACKIE BUCKETS
Jackie Carman has led the Terriers in scoring in six of the previous eight games and posted double-digits in seven of the last eight. She currently has 105 career three-pointers, which is one shy of Jenny Nett's 106 for 10^th on Wofford's all-time made threes leaderboard.
 
TOP DOGS
A few Terriers are among SoCon leaders. Reagan Rapert is fourth in assists with 2.7 APG. Alexis Tomlin is sixth in rebounding with 7.2 RPG. Jackie Carman sits at seventh in scoring with 11.9 PPG.
 
THREES UP
Wofford is thriving beyond the arc, leading the SoCon shooting 33.6 percent from three. The Terriers lead the league with 7.9 triples per game. Nationally, Wofford is 26^th with 110 made threes and 50^th in threes per game. Jackie Carman's 1.9 threes per game are good for third in the league.
 
CONFERENCE QUEENS
Wofford ranks first in the SoCon in scoring offense (65.4 PPG), free throw percentage (76.6%) and assist/turnover ratio (0.8). The Terriers also rank second in three-point defense (28.3%), assists (12.7 APG), turnover margin (+1.57) and defensive rebounds (25.9 DRPG).
 
BATTLING THE BOARDS
Though fourth in the league and 50^th nationally with 37.9 RPG, the Terriers have struggled to outrebound opponents this season, posting a rebounding margin of -1.4. When outrebounded, the Terriers are 0-8. However, when securing more boards, Wofford is 5-1.
 
A TALE OF TWO HALVES
Wofford has thrived in the first half, outscoring opponents 472-430 (33.7-30.7 PPG). However, the second half has been a struggle for the Terriers, as opponents are outscoring them 468-44 (33.4-31.7 PPG).
 
THIRD'S NOT THE CHARM
The third quarter continues to plague the Terriers as Wofford's worst quarter in both scoring (194 points) and shooting (28.8%). It is the only quarter in which the Terriers have not yet eclipsed 200 total points and the only one in which they shoot below 38 percent.
 
IT'S HOW YOU FINISH
Though struggling in the third quarter, Wofford has finished strong in games, as the fourth quarter is actually its best. The Terriers are totaling 250 points and 39.1 percent shooting in the final frame.