Anderson, S.C. – Despite playing with a depleted roster, the Anderson University women's basketball team (8-6, 8-2 SAC) put together its best performance of the season to topple undefeated South Atlantic Conference foe and nationally ranked No. 17 Catawba (11-1, 8-1 SAC), 85-81, on Wednesday evening at the Abney Athletic Center.
"This was a huge win for us tonight against one of the best teams in the country," said head coach Jonathon Barbaree. "I am proud of everyone and how hard they fought. We have trained every day since we returned from Christmas break on getting in shape in case we hit the Covid or the injury bug and that paid off tonight. We were able to dig deep and find a way to finish."
"We also got a huge lift from Britney Bailey's clutch 3-point basket and we finished with made free throws," added Barbaree.
"We need to build on this win and push forward as we navigate the second half of the season," emphasized Barbaree.
Anderson's Shameka McNeill tied her career-high by scoring a game-high 30 points, which included going 6-of-6 from the foul line. McNeill also grabbed three rebounds and was credited with three steals for the Trojans. Transfer Brittney Stafford also scored a career-high 26 points, while making all four of her foul shots in the last 11 seconds of the game. Stafford was 4-of-7 from behind the arc, grabbed eight rebounds and was credited with four steals and three assists in her home debut. Senior Britney Bailey scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while junior Nelliah Wilson equaled her season-high ripping down 10 rebounds. Wilson also blocked a career-high four shots to help the Black and Gold defeat the Indians.
Anderson won the opening tip and did not look back, scoring a season high 34 points in the first period of action. McNeill led the charge scoring 16 of her 30 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the field and 3-of-3 from the free throw line. Stafford and Bailey chipped in 11 and seven points, respectively. For the period, the Trojans shot a blistering 65 percent (13-20), including 62.5 percent (5-8) from behind the arc.
Catawba was able to keep pace, scoring 30 points on 12-of-18 (66.7 %) from the field and 5-of-5 from the foul line. The Indians Sara McIntosh scored 11 points, while Janiya Downs netted nine in the first period of play.
With both teams seemingly cooling down a bit, the Trojans outscored the Indians 20-18 to carry a six-point lead into the half. The 54 total first half points are the most scored by AU this season, with 41 being its previous high.
Anderson was able to maintain its solid play during the third quarter of action. The Trojans built their largest lead of the game, 14, before ending the quarter ahead by 12, 71-59.
Catawba was able to apply their relentless full court pressure, eventually tying the game at 73 apiece with 5:09 to play. Anderson's Stafford drained a three-point basket with 4:31 to go to push the lead to three, 76-73. Following two made free throws by Catawba, Anderson McNeill's short ranged jumper kept Anderson's lead at three points. The Indians McIntosh's layup with 1:18 remaining pulled Catawba within one. However, AU' Bailey drained her second three-point basket of the game to favorably position the Trojans for the remaining 48 second of the contest. Forced to foul, the Black and Gold's Stafford hit 4-of-4 foul shots to keep the Indians just out of reach.
Anderson returns to action on Saturday to welcome the new conference leader, Carson-Newman. Tip-off is slated for 2 pm on Annie Tribble Court.
