SALISBURY, N.C. – Anderson women's basketball (7-2, 0-2 SAC) dropped its second straight South Atlantic Conference game, 101-88, to No. 8 Catawba (6-1, 3-0 SAC) after playing a highly competitive contest on Wednesday evening at Goodman Arena.
"Honestly, if you love offense then this was a great game to watch because there was a lot of it," stated head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "I loved how we were resilient and continued to play hard all game."
"Catawba is a great team led by some talented veterans who played like veterans tonight," explained Barbaree.
"I love this team and we will lick our wounds like we're supposed to and then prepare to play another great conference team on Saturday," said Barbaree. "Our conference is loaded with great players and coaches, that's why this conference is so strong."
After outscoring Catawba, 26-18, in the opening quarter, the Trojans made a statement that it would take Catawba's best scoring output of the season to win. Unfortunately, for the Black and Gold, Catawba stood up to the challenge scoring 18 points over its season best.
All five Trojan starters scored in double-figures with senior Zamiya Passmore scoring a team-high 22 points. Passmore also dished out 11 assists to record her first double-double of the season. Senior Brittney Stafford scored 21 points, grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and was credited with three steals. Sophomore Ashlyn Sheridan netted a season-high 20 points on 8-of-14 shooting, including 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Sheridan's four three-point baskets made tied her career-high for made three-pointers in a game. Junior Diamond McDowell and senior Nelliah Wilson chipped in 13 and 12 points, respectively. McDowell hauled in 12 rebounds recording her fifth double-double of the season and Wilson just one rebound shy (9) of her fourth double-double of the season.
Catawba placed four players in double-digit scoring with Lyrik Thorne scoring 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Thorne also dished out seven assists, four rebounds and three steals in the Indians hard-fought victory.
Anderson returns home to host top-tier Carson-Newman on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 pm.
