58-Point Second Half Lifts Men's Basketball Over Lenoir-Rhyne 87-82

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Catawba rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit to defeat visiting Lenoir-Rhyne 87-82 in a South Atlantic Conference men's basketball contest on Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym. The Catawba Indians improve to 9-4 overall and 4-1 in SAC play. The Bears fall to 6-7 and 1-4.

The Bears led 68-58 with 11 and a half minutes to go, but after a basket by Peyton Gerald the Indians forced turnovers and the next three LR possessions and cashed in on each to take a 59-58 lead on a steal and dunk by Kaleb Wallace with 10:14 to go. The teams traded the lead over the next six minutes until Javeon Jones put Catawba on top to stay with a three-point play with 4:29 remaining.

Catawba pushed the margin to 85-77 with 1:29 to go before two free throws and a three-pointer by Damion Medwinter closed the gap to three with 53 seconds left. Both teams would miss shots before Wallace connected on two free throws with 13 seconds remaining. LR missed a final three-pointer and Catawba ran out the clock.

Wallace had 15 points off the bench to pace the Indians. Jones picked up 14 points. Gerald collected 12 points and nine rebounds, while DeAngelo Epps added 10 points. For the second straight contest, Catawba shot extremely will in the second half, canning 65% to finish at 50% for the game. The Indians were also solid at the line, making 22-of-27 (82%).

LJ McCoy scored 22 points to lead LR, making six three-pointers. T.J. Nesmith added 20 points and 10 rebounds. Jalen Johnson also had a double-double with 13 points and 10 boards. The Bears shot 46% on the day, but were a minus-nine in points off turnovers.

Catawba hosts Newberry on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.