SALISBURY, N.C. - Using a balanced offensive attack with all five starters reaching double figures, Catawba earned a season sweep past Anderson, 74-65, in South Atlantic Conference women's basketball Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym.
Catawba improved to 14-10 overall and 8-6 in league action while Anderson (9-13, 5-9 SAC) had its' two-game win streak snapped.
The Lady Indians took an early lead but the Trojans battled back to lead 38-36 at the break. Anderson took its largest lead at 50-44 after a basket by senior guard Alexa Neal. The Lady Indians reeled off six straight to even the contest at 50-all and Milica Ivanovic converted a three-point play with 9:21 to go the put Catawba on top for good at 58-55.
The Lady Indians stretched the lead to 65-58 with 3:47 remaining on free throws by Ivanovic, Hicks and Merritt and a layup by Connor. Sophomore guard Alissa Diaz pulled Anderson within 68-63 on free throws with 45 seconds left, but the Lady Indians made all six from the stripe in the closing moments to keep the Trojans at a distance.
Both teams hit exactly 24-of-56 shots. Anderson hit one more three-pointer (8) than Catawba, but the Lady Indians had 19 points at the line to just nine for the visitors. Catawba committed only seven turnovers, including just two in the second half which did not come until the final three minutes.
Ivanovic and Jolysa Connor each scored 14 points to lead the Lady Indians. Dana Hicks posted a double-double with 12 points and 13 rebounds, while Kisha Long and Elizabeth Merritt added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
Senior Ashley Abed led Anderson with 18 points, hitting on four three-pointers, while Diaz tossed in 12 points and Neal chipped in 10. Breonda Shannon narrowly missed a double-double with nine points and 12 rebounds.
Anderson will close out its home schedule with a two-game
conference homestand beginning on Wednesday when Tusculum invades
the Abney Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
