SALISBURY, N.C. - Long-range shooting lifted the Catawba men's basketball team past Anderson, 75-69, in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym.
Catawba (9-13, 5-9 SAC) connected on 13-of-23 (56.5 percent) from beyond the arc to avoid a season sweep at the hands of the Trojans and ended a three-game skid, while Anderson (14-10, 8-6 SAC) suffered its third consecutive setback.
Keon Moore got Catawba off to a quick start by hitting a trio of 3-pointers and scored 11 points inside the opening six minutes as the Indians opened a 16-6 edge. Catawba connected on 10-of-13 from long range in the first 20 minutes to open a 43-36 lead.
Catawba opened a 55-38 lead early in the second half, but the Trojans rallied to within two in the final 10 minutes, with Oskars Ernsteins sparking the run with a 3-pointer and pulled Anderson within 57-49 on another three from beyond the arc with 10:13 to play. Brandon Young capped the 19-4 surge on a three-pointer with 7:09 left, cutting the deficit to just 59-57.
After the teams traded baskets, Lee Martin hit a trey for Catawba and Reid followed with a jumper to put the Indians up 66-59 with 3:27 left. Young's three-pointer pulled the Trojans within 68-64 with 2:10 to go, but Reid hit consecutive baskets and the Indians held on for the win.
Young led AU with 16 points, while Ernsteins tallied 14 points, hitting on four three-pointers. Trey Britton also scored 14 points for the Trojans.
Catawba got 23 points from both Dominick Reid and Moore, with Reid posting a double-double as he grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds. Moore connected on five three-pointers and just missed a double-double with nine boards. Justin Huntley also reached double figures for Catawba with 13 points and dished out five assists. Catawba held a 42-33 edge on the boards.
The Trojans wrap up their home slate with a two-game SAC
homestand beginning on Wednesday when AU plays host to Tusculum.
Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.