Mutombo leads W. Carolina past N. Illinois 71-67

Saturday 11/29/2008 2:00 PM
TEAM STAT LEADERS
Northern Illinois Western Carolina
Points H. Mutombo  22 D. Anderson  15
Rebounds H. Mutombo  10 S. Kowal  7
Assists B. Giles  3 D. Anderson  5
Team Stats: Northern Illinois |  Western Carolina

ANCHORAGE, Alaska(AP) Harouna Mutombo scored 22 points and Western Carolina made just enough free throws to defeat Northern Illinois 71-67 Saturday for fourth place in the Great Alaska Shootout.


The Catamounts (3-2) hit just 13 of 25 free throws, nearly allowing Northern Illinois (3-4) to catch up at the end.


Mutombo hit a layup and a 3-pointer to spark a 16-1 first-half run, and Western led 34-27 at halftime. Northern Illinois used a 16-2 run to start the second half, going on top 43-36, but Western Carolina regained the lead at 61-60 on a two free throws by Jake Robinson.


The Huskies' Tyler Storm hit a desperation 3 with 11 seconds remaining to close to 68-66, but Robinson made three of four free throws for the final margin.


Darion Anderson led Northern Illinois with 15 points.