Western Carolina women's basketball is gearing up for another exciting road trip. On Saturday afternoon, the Catamounts will face the Queens Royals in Charlotte. This game holds significance as it is part of their ongoing series with the Royals and comes at a crucial time in their season.

Witness the Catamounts' Road Rivalry in Charlotte

Game Details and Broadcast Information

The Catamounts are set to take on the Queens Royals on Saturday, December 14th, at 2 p.m. at the Curry Arena in Cullowhee, North Carolina. This game will be broadcasted on ESPN+ (with a paid subscription required) and live stats will be available online at CatamountSports.com. It's an important matchup as the Royals are celebrating their Camper Appreciation Day and Ugly Sweater Game.The Catamounts have a history with the Royals, having met for the third season in a row and the third time in program history. In the previous two meetings, WCU emerged victorious, winning 68-59 in Cullowhee in 2022 and 69-63 in Charlotte last year. This season, both teams have faced USC Upstate and Presbyterian, with both teams going 2-0 against the Big South representatives. However, the Catamounts won their road games with a combined margin of victory of 58, while the Royals won by a combined 20 in their road victories.

Recent Games and Opponents

The Catamounts entered Saturday's game after a five-point home overtime win over the West Georgia Wolves. They held a 15-point lead going into the fourth quarter thanks to a 28-point third, but the Wolves pushed late and forced an extra period. Three Catamounts - Tyja Beans, Zanoria Cruz, and AC Carter - each posted double-digit points in this overtime victory. Cruz led the team with a 19-point effort, while Beans collected her second career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Beans has been a force on the glass this season, recording a team-high 88 rebounds so far, including a career-best 16 against Gardner-Webb. No other Catamount has more than 60 boards this season, with AC Carter second on the team with 56. Beans, a sophomore from Daytona Beach, Florida, ranks second in the SoCon in rebounds per game (8.8) and offensive rebounds per game (4.4).In their last outing against Queens, Nicole Azar and Jada Burton both recorded double-digit point efforts and five rebounds. Burton also contributed eight assists in the six-point win. Reagan Trumm is the only Catamount on the roster who saw action against the Royals in 2022, scoring five points in the seven-point win in Cullowhee.The Royals are led by Jordyn Weaver, who is firing at a better than 50 percent clip to open the season. She's posted 117 points on 45 made shots and also leads the team from the charity stripe, draining 25 free throws on 31 attempts. Additionally, the 2023 ASUN rebound leader is well on her way to a second-straight title, collecting a team-best total of 59 rebounds to date. Ball State transfer Ana Barreto is second on the Queens' team in terms of offensive production, averaging 10.3 points per game and doing most of her damage from the perimeter, knocking down 20 3-pointers this season.

Upcoming Games for the Catamounts

The Catamounts remain on the road for their next two games, facing the Murray State Racers on December 19th and the UNC Asheville Bulldogs on December 21st. Tip-off for those matchups is set for 6 p.m. CST / 7 p.m. EST and 4 p.m. EST, respectively. After the Christmas holiday, WCU returns home to host the Southern Wesleyan Warriors on December 30th and the Montreat Cavaliers to open the New Year on January 2nd. Tip-off of the two home games is scheduled for 2 p.m.