By Horace Billings

Salisbury Post

Catawba’s women’s basketball team got off to a cold start and couldn’t recover as it dropped a

77-58 loss to Wingate in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday at Goodman Gym.

The Indians made only 29.6 percent of their field-goal attempts (21 of 71), including 25 percent (8 of 31) in the first half.

The Indians fell behind 36-21 at halftime and trailed by 26 on two occasions in the second half.

The poor shooting performance gave the Indians (15-6, 5-4 SAC) their first home defeat after 10 wins this season.

Wingate improved its hopes in the league title race with its eighth win against two defeats. The Bulldogs are

16-5 for the season.

The Indians got off to a cold start. They scored only eight points in the first 10 minutes.

Catawba fell behind 51-20 early in the second half and was unable to catch up.

Emily Paffrath with 20 and Tenetra Barrett with 19 paced Wingate.

Four players led Catawba with eight points apiece. They were Ne’Keithia Howard, Ingrid Easter, Tamekia Foster and Andrell Baxter.