Six Reach Double Figures As Men's Basketball Out-Scores Wingate 96-95

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Adrian Scarborough's dunk off a feed from Javeon Jones provided the winning points for Catawba in a 96-95 victory over Wingate in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym. The Catawba Indians rebound from a loss to improve to 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the SAC. The Bulldogs fall to 5-4 and 3-1.

Wingate had went on top with 31 second left on a second-chance basket by Vontrez Roberts. Jones would drive and feed Scarborough on Catawba's next possession. Wingate held for the final shot, but Jarren Cottingham's three-pointer from the corner was off the mark.

DeAngelo Epps led Catawba with 21 points and handed out four assists. O'Mazeon Tinsley came off the bench to add a dozen points and Ray Kowalski tossed in 11. Scarborough and Jones were joined by Jerome Bivins with 10 points. Jones also had three assists and six steals.

Wingate built an eight-point lead just four minutes into the game, but Catawba responded after a timeout with a 9-0 run to go up 14-13. The teams would trade the lead a few times before the Indians began to pull away. Catawba led by as many as 12 in the opening half and took a 51-44 edge to the break.

The Indians kept a double-digit margin for the early part of the second half then Wingate rallied back midway through the period. A three-pointer by Sean Elmore and a three-point play by Ahman Greenidge pulled the Bulldogs within 79-75 with 8:45 to go.

Wingate eventually tied the game at 85-all on a jumper by Destin Clark with 5:45 left with was followed by a three-pointer by Andreas Wilson to give the Bulldogs an 88-85 lead. The Indians would retake the lead on a follow dunk and free throw by Peyton Gerald with 4:53 to go.

Catawba took a 93-89 lead on a jumper by Scarborough with 3:06 left, but Wingate came back within a point on free throws by Roberts and Cottingham to make it 94-93 with 1:19 left. After a Catawba miss, Roberts put Wingate on top before the final points from Scarborough won it for the Indians.

Elmore hit six three-pointers and paced Wingate with 20 points. Clark followed with 18 and Wilson had 13. The Bulldogs shot the ball well, finishing at 59% after hitting 67% in the opening half. Catawba canned 53%, but used a big edge in turnovers to take the win. Catawba committed 10 less turnovers and scored 29 points off 22 Wingate miscues.

Catawba will return from the break with a home game at Goodman Gym against Virginia Union on January 3rd at 7 p.m.