SAC Basketball: Wingate 93, Catawba 71

By Ronnie Gallagher

rgallagher@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — This is all you need to know about Catawba’s home basketball game against Wingate on Wednesday night.

The Indians finished the game on a 20-6 run — and still lost by 22.

Really.

“This is probably the worst home loss since I’ve been here,” sighed Catawba coach Jim Baker.

After frustrating close loss after frustrating close loss, Catawba (5-14, 2-9) was never in this South Atlantic Conference contest. Wingate bounced back from two straight losses by shooting the lights out to the tune of 61 percent.

“I hate to make it this simple,” said Bulldog coach Brian Good, “but we made a lot of shots.”

Especially in the second half, when Wingate lit up up to the tune of 66 percent.

The game was still competitive at 61-46 when the turning point occurred. Baker thought Keon Moore was fouled hard on his end and got no call. On the ensuing possession, Catawba center Tyrece Little was whistled for a touch foul. Baker protested, of course, and was hit with a warning.

“We were still within striking range,” Baker said. “But that was a five-point swing. The kids kinda dropped their heads a little bit.”

As Little sat, Wingate (11-10, 7-4) was unconscious, hitting just about everything on an 18-0 run. Six different Bulldogs scored, led by Jaime Vaughn (24 points). By the time Little re-entered the game, Catawba was down 80-51.

On one play, Vaughn rebounded a miss in Catawba’s corner, dribbled behind his back and went the distance for a layup. It was almost too easy for the Bulldogs.

“We’re young,” Baker said. “We’re so up and down. They’ll play good, they’ll play bad. We had been holding it together pretty well. But the floodgates just opened up.”

Wingate led 42-32 at halftime, shooting 55.6 percent.

“We got our post game established early, which got us open shots,” Good said.

Catawba’s bright spot came at the end. Down 87-51, they went on their run. Moore, Little, Chris Watson, Willie Gilmore and Tomas Smogner all got in on the act. Eight of Moore’s 27 points came after the verdict had long been decided.

“They scored 20 more than their average,” Baker said. “They were on fire.”

WINGATE (93) — Vaughn 24, Smith 13, Turner 11, Tyson 10, Lewis 8, Parker 8, Matilus 8, Alexander 5, Kinkaid 4, Turman 2, .

CATAWBA (71) — Moore 27, Little 14, Martin 9, Gilmore 7, Watson 5, Huntley 4, Drakeford 3, Smogner 2.

Wingate 42 51 — 93

Catawba 32 39 — 71