The new play was delivered by Brian Carter and Terrence Hamilton in the final second of the game.

Catawba was trailing by 77-76 when it gained possession of the basketball near its bench with three seconds remaining.

Carter took the basketball out of bounds and fired it over the Newberry defense into the hands of Hamilton under the goal. He slammed it in and won the game.

Catawba got the breaks it needed to be only a point behind when Newberry missed the front end of two one-and-one opportunities and then lost the basketball out of bounds with 3.7 seconds remaining.

That’s when Carter and Hamilton combined for the winning points.

“We had worked on the play briefly during the week,” said Catawba coach Jim Baker. “It was the big play for us.”

The victory bailed the Indians (18-6, 8-4) out of a slump which had seen them lose four of their past five games after winning 16 of their first 18.

“We finally got some breaks,” said Baker.

Catawba trailed 77-72 with 63 seconds showing. Duke Phipps made two free throws to cut the margin to 77-74.

Brian Reese missed a one-and-one with 15 seconds showing. Catawba got the rebound and Kevin Petty scored on a layup with seven seconds left.

Rashaad Carter of the visitors was fouled immediately, and he missed the front end of a one-and-one. Newberry got the rebound but in a scramble, Alex Fair lost the basketball. Catawba gained possession with slightly over three seconds left

The Indians trailed 40-35 at halftime to the visitors, who occupy last place in the SAC.

The Indians still trailed 50-43 when they made their move. They rallied behind 3-point goals by Petty and Phipps and grabbed the lead, 56-52, with 9:20 left.

Catawba stretched its lead to 61-56 on baskets by Petty and Britt Jernigan with slightly over six minutes left.

Newberry went on an 8-0 roll to grab a 64-61 advantage with 5:20 remaining.

Phipps delivered two key steals that resulted in five points and the Indians jumped ahead, 68-66.

Catawba managed a 72-69 lead with 2:27 remaining, but Reese tied the score with a 3-pointer.

Newberry eased out by five later and then the Indians staged their rally that pulled the win out of the fire.

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NOTES:Newberry fell to 1-11, 3-20. ... Phipps was the the scoring star for Catawba with 18. He also came up with three key steals. ... Petty and Hamilton followed with 16 apiece. ... The Indians did not shoot well, making only 30 percent (11 of 36). The came back to hit 38 percent in the last half. ... Catawba goes to Presbyterian Wednesday and Carson-Newman Saturday for its two two games.

[NEWBERRY (77)] — Fair 16, R. Carter 14, Manigo 4, Cheeks 5, Reese 9, Garrett 3, Peper 2, Karaga 11, Chandler 9, Coleman 1, Frasier, Reid 3, D. Carter.

[CATAWBA (78)] — Hamilton 16, Parks 3, Whitehead 2, Bryant, Robertson 3, Luyk 9, Petty 16, Carter 8, Phipps 18, Proctor, Parker, Everett, Jernigan 3.

Newberry 40 37 — 77

Catawba 35 43 — 78