WINGATE — Just think how powerful the Catawba College women’s basketball team will be when it starts hitting some free throws.
Despite missing 31 free tosses, 21 in the second half, John Duncan’s women were still heads and shoulders above Wingate in a crucial South Atlantic Conference clash in Cuddy Arena Wednesday night.
The Indians’ convincing 84-71 victory left Catawba (12-3, 4-0) alone in first place (Presbyterian lost to Mars Hill) and sent the perennially-tough Bulldogs questioning themselves after falling to 12-4, 2-2.
“I think this made a statement that we’re for real,” said Catawba coach John Duncan.
No one could get a feel of who was best during a first half that saw a whopping 21 lead changes. Wingate giants (6-6) Elizabeth Biedrycki and 6-2 Katie Laettner battled to a standoff with Catawba’s Dorthell Little and Donna Carr.
The final lead change came at the end of the first half. With Wingate up 35-33, Erin Buckland and Leticia Stockton hit baseline jumpers, giving the Indians a 37-35 advantage.
Once the second half began, so did Wingate’s downfall.
A 12-2 run to open the final 20 minutes handed Catawba a 49-37 lead. The Indians showed renewed vigor and their press turned several turnovers into easy baskets. Ella Pasola, Lakia Brice and Little each scored twice in the run.
“We’re a high-energy team,” said Duncan. “Our depth can have an effect. That’s part of our philosophy.”
Wingate did slip within 49-45 but Catawba went on a 10-4 run. When Satu Puolitaival scored on a drive, it was 59-49.
And then, the foul-fest began. The game dragged on as the Indians missed free throw after free throw but their defense forced Wingate to take bad shots.
Duncan was left scratching his head over a second half that saw Catawba go 19-of-41 from the line in the final 20 minutes and 25-of-56 for the game.
“What happened was a couple of girls missed and it got in their heads,” Duncan said. “We shoot a much higher percentage. But part of the game is mental and sometimes, you try too hard.”
Carr didn’t have to try very hard. She swished 12-of-14, the only effective free throw shooter. Her timely baskets made her the star of the game as she finished with 24 points and 16 rebounds.
The last 11 Catawba points came from the free throw line as Carr hit four straight. Vuokka Timola, Danyel Locklear and Puolitaival also pumped in some free tosses.
Away from the foul line the Indians were practically flawless in the last half, even after Brice, the team’s leading scorer, fouled out with 5:31 left
Stockton, a 5-foot whirling dervish came off the bench to score eight, weaving her way around and through the Wingate defense and drawing praise from her coach. Little, a 6-0 post player, intimidated the bigger Bulldogs with six blocked shots, 12 points and eight rebounds.
“We really showed a lot of depth when Brice went out,” praised Duncan.
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NOTES: Wingate committed 28 turnovers. ... Of his free throw miseries, Duncan said, “The things we need to work on are fixable.” ... Wingate had three players foul out and three others finish with four fouls. ... Brice scored 15 points. ... The Indians meet Newberry Saturday.
CATAWBA (84) — Timola 2, Little 12, Carr 24, Pasola 5, Brice 15, Stockton 8, Locklear 4, Pugh, Puolitaival 5, Powell, Buckland 9.
WINGATE (71) — Biedrycki 9, Rogers 7, Dawkins 10, Peckham 15, Edwards 4, Boggess 6, Dailey 11, Crutchfield 1, Patterson 2, Laettner 6.
Catawba 37 47 — 84
Wingate 35 36 — 71
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