It was the Indians’ 19th victory against five losses and left them only one victory away from their second straight 20-win campaign.

Coach John Duncan’s defending South Atlantic Conference champions also kept their hopes alive for their second league title in a row. It was their ninth conference win against three losses. It also was their fifth straight victory and their eight win in the past 10 games.

The Indians gave up two points in the opening seconds of the contest and then reeled off 24 straight and virtually decide the issue.

Catawba led by 32 points, 50-18, late in the half and carried a 50-23 advantage into intermission.

The Indians, who made 51 percent (18-for-35) from the field in the opening half, connected on 48.1 percent (38 of 79) for the game. They had 50 points in the first half and 53 in the second half.

Meanwhile, Catawba’s defense allowed Newberry to make only 30 percent (15-for-50).

Isiaette Darden, one of the sparkling newcomers, set the scoring pace with 22. She was 9-for-13 from the field.

Dorthell Little continued her high-scoring act with 13. She also had 10 rebounds. Danyel Locklear and Ella Pasola followed with 11 apiece.

Carlie Smith and Tasha Farmer led Newberry with 12 apiece.

“I was proud of our effort,” said Duncan, who was presented with his 106th Catawba win.

“We played very well in the first half and we challenged our players not to let up in the second half. The win was a good one for us. It left us just one away from 20 which was one of our goals this season.”

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NOTES: The loss left Newberry winless in the SAC with a 0-12 record and 2-22 for the season. ... Thirteen players took part in the high-scoring spree for Catawba. ... Little recorded her 14th double-double of the season. ... The 103 points easily surpassed the 87 Catawba scored against Lenoir-Rhyne. ... The Indians will wind up their regular season at Presbyterian Wednesday night and at Carson-Newman Saturday night.

[NEWBERRY (51)] — Smith 12, Wix, Cook 8, Crank, Johnson 8, Tims 5, Maloney 6, Farmer 12.

[CATAWBA (103)] — darden 22, Locklear 11, Little 13, Cox 9, Pasola 11, Tate 9, Pugh 5, Carmon 2, Prescott, Marancie 2, Scearce 8, Valentine 4, Rangel 5, Kaufman 2.

Newberry 23 28 —51