Women's Basketball Claims Top SAC Record with 94-85 Win Over Carson-Newman

SALISBURY, N.C. -- The Catawba College women's basketball team took down Mountain Division-leading Carson-Newman on Saturday afternoon, 94-85, claiming the top record in the South Atlantic Conference. The Lady Indians improve to 18-4 overall and 10-2 in the SAC, while Carson-Newman drops to 14-7 overall and 9-2 in league play.

Lyrik Thorne led the way with 29 points with seven three-pointers and five assists. Four others for Catawba scored in double figures – Sara McIntosh (15), Janiya Downs (14), Jada Porter (13) and Mercedes Wampler (13). Harli Smith recorded a game-high 32 points and 14 rebounds for the Eagles.

Catawba did their damage from deep, knocking down a season-high 14 three-pointers on 50 percent shooting from deep. The Lady Indians were also extremely efficient with the basketball, committing just seven turnovers, while forcing Carson-Newman to 17.

The teams played evenly through the first six minutes before Carson-Newman scored five straight to take an early lead. The Eagles led by as much as eight late in the second quarter, but Catawba went on a 12-1 run in less than three minutes to take the lead. They led 41-40 at the half.

CN came out on a tear to start the second half, scoring 13 points in the first three minutes to take a 53-46 lead at the 7:05 mark in the third quarter. Over the next five minutes, Catawba stormed out to a 22-6 run that was a big part of their 32-point third quarter that proved to be the difference. The lead grew to as much as 16, and the Eagles never got within eight the rest of the way.

The Lady Indians next take the court on Wednesday, traveling to Anderson for a 5:30 p.m. tip against the Trojans.