LC Falls to Catawba

SALISBURY — The Catawba Indians used a third-quarter surge to break a four-game losing streak Wednesday night at Goodman Gym, pulling away from cross-town rival Livingstone, 82-56, in college women's basketball action.

The inside power of forward Terri Rogers and the outside accuracy of guard Emma Ucinski proved decisive in the second half as Catawba (3-4) broke out of a tight battle to hand the Blue Bears (2-1) their first loss of the new season. The game took an unusual turn down the stretch as Livingstone finished the game with just three players on the floor due to injuries and foul problems.

Livingstone only dressed seven players for the game, then lost starter Taylor Daniels to an ankle injury in the second quarter. Brittany Taylor fouled out at 5:32 of the fourth period, then the Blue Bears lost Toxiana Wilson on fouls with 2:25, leaving just four players.

"We were low on numbers then had an injury that really put us in a bind, " Livingstone coach Anita Howard said afterwards. "But I just told the girls to keep fighting through to the end."

Catawba outscored the visitors, 21-8, in the period for a 59-39 lead.

The first half was a different story as Catawba pulled out to a 17-7 lead late in the first quarter only to have the Blue Bears mount an 11-0 run to claim the lead, 18-17. Wilson, Daniels and Searcy had the key baskets in the comeback. .

The Indians hit 17 of 22 free throws and hit 44 per cent of their shots in the second half. Livingstone was held to just 29 per cent shooting from the field and were out-rebounded 52-45. The Blue Bears did get a stellar effort from Kyala Searcy, a 5-10 sophomore from Winston-Salem who notched 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds for the game.

With the win, Catawba now leads the all-time series against Livingstone, 22-5. Livingstone will head to Clayton, Ga. this Friday and Saturday to play against Armstrong State and Clayton State.

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