Catawba’s cold-shooting Indians used their best comeback of the season to edge Newport News Apprentice by 61-58 for the second time here at Goodman Gym Monday night.
The Indians, who made only 19.4 percent (6-for-31) in the first half and hit 28.2 percent (20-of-71) for the game, charged from behind a 16-point deficit to register their 13th straight homecourt victory.
The Redskins, who outscored the Shipbuilders by 26-4 late in the game to grab a 56-52 lead, improved to 15-3 while the Shipbuilders, who lost toCatawba, 95-89, earlier, slipped to 6-13.
Catawba, ranked third in he NCAASouth Atlantic Region, made only six field goals and 10 free throws in the first half and trailed by 33-22 at intermission.
The Indians, who made 14 3-pointers in a recent game, shot blanks from that area in the opening half, going 0-for-9. They made only two of 11 3-pointers in the last half and both of them were by Kevin Petty, one of the Tribe’s heroes in the game.
Petty’s first 3-pointer cut the Apprentice lead to 52-46 with 6:56 left to play. His second 3-pointer gave the Indians the lead for the first time — and for keeps — at 53-52 with 4:50 remaining.
Brian Carter also had a big hand in the win. He had five points down the stretch and pulled down four key rebounds that helped the Indians hold onto the lead.
Apprentice got a rebound off a Catawba missed free throw and Neil Freeman missed a desperate 3-point attempt at the buzzer.
The Shipbuilders were one of the fastest teams on the Tribe schedule. They used their speed and defense to dominat the first half.
The visitors outscored the Indians, 24-20, from the field but the Redskins held a 19-7 edge a free throws.
Duke Phipps provided the top scoring punch for the Indians with 17 points. Petty followed with 16, and Carter collected 15.
Nedzad Gusic, Catawba’s leading scorer with a 16-point average, scored only seven. He made only one of 12 from the floor.
“We were tight and pressed too much at the start of the game,” said coach Jim Baker of the Indians.
“I got on the team pretty hard Sunday following our loss (88-74) to Carson-Newman Saturday and and we pressed too much at the start. We couldn‘t throw the ball in the ocean.”
The Indians turned in their lowest first-half total (22) this season. It was one below the 23 scored in the opening half agai nst Carson-Newman Saturday.
“We got the right combination late in the second half,” explained Baker, “and we played like we normally do in the last 10 minutes. We got it going and are happy to get the win.”
The Indians, who weathered the bad first half, got going with about 10 minutes remaining in the game. They trailed by 48-32 at the time.
The Redskins went on the warpath and outscored the visitors by 26-4 to take a 58-52 advantage.
Apprentice pulled with 58-56 but a tapin by Reggie Proctor put the Indians ahead by 60-58.
The visitors got within two againa t 60-58 but Gusic sank a free throw for the final margin.
Notes: The Indians return to action against Strayer University here Wednesday at 7 p. m. The Indians resume their South Atlantic Conference schedule against Lenoir-Rhyne here Saturday at 4 ... Catawba’s Lady Indians will meet Virginia Union in a non-league game here Thursday at 6:30.
NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE (58) — Bland 2, Patrick 14, Toomer 2, Barnett 6, Freeman 19, Watson 10, Walters 5, Gilchrist, Sims, Pauling.
CATAWBA (61) — Bryant, Carter 15, Parks, Gusic 7, Robertson, Petty 16, Phipps 17, Everett, Hagaman, Whitehead, Proctor 4.
Apprentice 33 25 — 58
Catawba 22 39 — 61
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