Staff report
Cold-shooting Catawba lost at Johnson C. Smith 65-59 in men’s basketball on Thursday night at Brayboy Gym.
The Indians (5-4) nearly overcame 27.8-percent shooting in the first half and were in position to win late, but the Golden Bulls (6-3) scored the final 10 points of the game.
The Indians didn’t make a field goal over the final 4 minutes, 15 seconds and didn’t score after two free throws by Donald Rutherford provided a 59-55 lead with 3:24 left to play.
Jerry Hollis hit two free throws with 2:03 remaining to tie the game at 59-all. After a Catawba turnover, he made two more free throws with 1:47 remaining to put J.C. Smith ahead to stay.
The 6-foot-5 Hollis had 26 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks. James Dillard added 13 points for the Bulls.
Rob Fields led Catawba with 16 points and four assists. Antonio Houston scored 12 points, and Rutherford finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Dominick Reid contributed 10 points.
Catawba shot 33.8 percent for the game and was 4-for-18 from 3-point range.
CATAWBA (59) ó Fields 16, Houston 12, Rutherford 11, Reid10, Coles 8, Martin 2, Williams, Smogner, Shoemaker, Huntley, Thomson, Lovelace.
J.C. SMITH (65) ó Hollis 26, Dillard 13, Mobley 8, Thornhill 6, Cooper 6, Carter 2, Boyd 2, Drummer 2.
Catawba 29 30 ó 59
J.C. Smith 34 31 ó 65