Bri Johnson has turned in many great performances for Catawba’s women’s basketball team over the years, but Saturday’s effort in Jefferson City, Tenn., against Carson-Newman might have been the best.
Johnson scored 31 points to lead Catawba to an 82-78 South Atlantic Conference victory over the Eagles.
Catawba (12-10, 9-7) continued its steady climb in the standings and is now tied for fifth with the Eagles. Catawba has recovered from a 1-5 start in the SAC.
Catawba led by as many as 15 points in the second quarter and held a 44-31 lead at halftime. But that lead disappeared in the third and fourth quarters as the Eagles outscored Catawba 30-12 over a 12-minute stretch to take a 61-58 lead.
Janna Dixon hit a big 3-pointer for the Indians to tie the game with 6:41 remaining.
With Catawba down 63-61 with 6:06 left, Johnson connected on a 3-pointer that put the Indians in front to stay. After she grabbed a defensive board, Johnson’s bucket with 5:33 left made it 66-63.
Johnson, Serena Brown, Jada Huntley and Alex Newbold made shots down the stretch as the Indians held the lead.
At the end, Newbold and Brown knocked down six straight free throws to clinch victory.
Johnson made five 3-pointers and shot 12-for-20 from the field.
Huntley had 10 points and seven rebounds.
Brown scored 12 points. Brown and Emma Ucinski had four assists each.
Catawba shot 47.5 percent from the field and won the game with foul shooting — 17-for-19.
Tatum Burstrom led Carson-Newman (15-7, 9-7) with 16 points.

CATAWBA (82) — Johnson 31, S. Brown 12, Huntley 10, Greer 9, Newbold 8, Dixon 6, Rogers 5, Ucinski 1, Franklin, Hodges, Butler.
CARSON-NEWMAN (78) — Burstrom 16, McLaughlin 12, Brooks 10, Newman 10, Peterson 9, Stubblefield 8, Cupples 6, Smith 5, Wykle 2.

Catawba 24 20 12 26 — 82
Carson-Newman 17 14 22 28 — 78