Women's Basketball Rally Falls Short at Newberry

NEWBERRY, S.C. -- Catawba shot just 33% and suffered its first league loss, falling 67-58 at Newberry's Eleazer Arena on Saturday afternoon. The Wolves up their record to 5-5 overall and 1-1 in the SAC. The Catawba Indians go to 8-2 and 2-1.

Catawba fell behind early and played catch up the entire contest. Midway through the opening quarter Newberry was able to build a 17-5 edge. The Lady Indians made a run to close within four in the second quarter, but went down 37-29 at the break.

The Lady Indians got within a point late in the third quarter only to see Newberry pull back out by seven at 49-42 at the end of the period. Catawba finally made a push to take the lead in the final quarter. Janiya Downs capped a 9-0 run to put the ladies on top 56-55 with 4:45 remaining.

Another basket by Downs had Catawba up 58-55, but that would be the last points the Lady Indians would score. Newberry rallied back and out-scored Catawba 12-0 over the final four minutes. Catawba missed its final eight shots and committed a pair of turnovers down the stretch.

Lyrik Thorne led Catawba with 23 points. Downs added a dozen points with six rebounds. Catawba helped cause 29 turnovers and out-scored Newberry 25-9 off miscues, but were out-rebounded 44-30 and saw the Wolves hit on 42% of its shots.

Catawba is at home on Wednesday, hosting Coker at 5 p.m.