Faulkner leads W. Carolina over Samford 109-78

CULLOWHEE, N.C. (AP) — Mason Faulkner recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds to carry Western Carolina to a 109-78 win over Samford on Wednesday night.

Onno Steger scored 31 points for the Catamounts. Travion McCray added 12 points, Carlos Dotson had 11 points and 10 rebounds and Xavier Cork had 11 points and seven rebounds.

Western Carolina is undefeated (2-0) when scoring at least 100 points this season.

The 109 points were a season best for Western Carolina (18-10, 10-7 Southern Conference), which also achieved a season-high 28 assists.

Josh Sharkey had 30 points for the Bulldogs (9-22, 3-14). He also had seven turnovers but only three assists. Brandon Austin added 16 points. Deandre Thomas had 15 points.

Robert Allen, the Bulldogs’ second leading scorer coming into the matchup at 14 points per game, was held to only 5 points on 2-of-12 shooting.

The Catamounts improve to 2-0 against the Bulldogs this season. Western Carolina defeated Samford 78-70 on Feb. 5. Western Carolina finishes out the regular season against East Tennessee State on the road on Saturday. Samford finishes out the regular season against VMI at home on Saturday.