Staff report

GREENVILLE, S.C.— Catawba’s women’s basketball team lost to top-seeded Anderson, 62-53, in a South Atlantic Conference Tournament semifinal played on Saturday afternoon at Furman University’s Timmons Arena.

The fourth-seeded Indians (18-11) got 15 points and 18 rebounds from SAC Freshman of the Year Terri Rogers, but fouls piled up on key teammates. Jada Huntley and Zhaquondalee Greer both fouled out. Huntley was limited to 21 minutes and scored 11.  Greer failed to score in 17 minutes.

Catawba led at halftime, 28-27.

The Indians led by four with 15:29 left in the game after a bucket by Rogers.

Catawba’s last lead was on a jumper by Alex Newbold that provided a 42-41 edge with 9:50 remaining, but Anderson (25-3) scored the next six points, went on a 17-3 run and took total control.

Lesley Woods hit a key 3-pointer for Anderson for a nine-point lead with 5:25 remaining.

Catawba won the battle on the boards but  didn’t shoot well — 31.1 percent from the field and 3-for-17 on 3-pointers.

Catawba also had a tough time containing Anderson guard Jasmine Franklin. She shot 13-for-22 and scored 29 points.

Bri Johnson scored 13 points for the Indians. SAC Player of the Year Sierra Simpson had 15 for the Trojans, who are ranked 18th nationally.

Catawba, making its first semifinal appearance since 2012,  would have enhanced its chances for a berth in the NCAA Division II playoffs with a win. The Indians still have a chance and will await the announcement of playoff teams, pairings and venues on Sunday at 10 p.m..

Anderson has won 18 straight games and plays for the SAC Tournament championship today at 1 p.m. The Trojans take on No. 3 seed Newberry, a 58-50 winner over Lenoir-Rhyne, in Saturday’s other semifinal.

Anderson 63,  Catawba 52

CATAWBA (52): Rogers 15, Johnson 13, Huntley 11, Bully 5, S. Brown 4, Ucinski 2, Newbold 2, Dixon, Greer, Tamasauskaite.

ANDERSON (63): Franklin 29, Simpson 15, Dillard 6, Woods 5, Floyd 3, Jankowy 3, Monroe 2, Young, Davis, Moore.

Catawba                      28     24 — 52

Anderson                    27     36 — 63