Porter's Career-High 22 Points Paces Women's Basketball Past UVA Wise 77-63

WISE, Va. -- In a game of runs, Catawba got the last one and picked up a 77-63 win at UVA Wise on Saturday afternoon at the prior Center. Jada Porter led the way with a career-high 22 points in helping lift the Catawba Indians to 13-3 overall and 6-1 in the South Atlantic Conference. The Cavaliers go to 1106 and 3-4.

Porter netted her career-best by connecting on 9-of-13 shots with a 4-for-7 performance behind the arc. She also recorded eight steals, one shy of the school mark. Janiya Downs followed with 16 points, while Lyrik Thorne tossed in 14 and Sara McIntosh 13. Mercedes Wampler grabbed a dozen rebounds and handed out eight assists.

Catawba scored the opening seven points and never trailed. The lead was 18-8 before UVA Wise rallied back and pulled even early in the second quarter. At that point, Catawba went on a 19-0 run to go on top 39-20. The Cavaliers used a 12-2 run to close the quarter to trail 41-32 at the break.

The Cavaliers would eventually tie the game on a pair of free throws by Josie Hester with 7:27 remaining. Downs sparked a Catawba run with a three-pointer and a layup sandwiched around a basket by McIntosh for a 66-59 Lady Indian edge. Porter capped the 15-2 run with a three-pointer then a steal and layup for a 74-61 cushion with 2:40 to play.

Catawba shot 52% in the win, including 60% (9-of-15) in the final quarter. The Lady Indians held a 39-35 edge on the boards and had a plus-10 turnover margin.

Wise put four starters in double figures, led by 17 from Nia Vanzant. Hester chipped in with 14 with Katlin Burger and Caitlyn Ross each scoring a dozen.

Catawba travels to Wingate on Wednesday with a rematch against the Bulldogs at 5:30 p.m.