From staff reports
Catawba’s men’s basketball team had one of its best efforts of the season, got 27 points from sophomore Jameel Taylor, and upset third-place Wingate, 78-62, on the road on Wednesday.
“We really played both sides of the ball well,” Catawba coach Rob Perron said. “We had low turnovers (12), we rebounded well, and we probably had our best decision-making and shot-selection game of the year. If we made a mistake, we bounced back from it and didn’t compound it.”
Taylor’s big night included 5-for-5 shooting on 3-pointers.His hot hand enabled Catawba to shoot 46.7 percent from the field and 8-for-15 on 3s.
Wingate (19-8, 15-6), ranked fourth in the region, shot 37 percent and was a woeful 3-for-20 on 3-pointers.
Perron said the Indians did a nice job defending the Bulldogs’ drive-and-kick offense. The Indians played man-to-man most of the night.
Catawba (12-15, 10-11) led 36-25 at halftime and maintained the upper hand in the second half.
Jerrin Morrison and Troy Warren added 11 points each for the Indians.
Mike Baez led the Bulldogs with 20 points.
Catawba played again without Andrew Ingram (concussion).
“It’s late in the year, but our energy has been high at practice, and we have our roles clearly defined,” Perron said. “We’re still getting better, and this win gives us some momentum going to Lincoln Memorial on Saturday.”
Lincoln Memorial, 21-0 in the league, will be trying to run the table in the SAC.

Catawba 78, Wingate 62

CATAWBA (78)
Taylor 27, Morrison 11, Warren 11, Brown 9, Sampah 6, McLaughlin 5, Marijosius 5, Burney 4, Perkins, Sealey.
WINGATE (62)
Baez 20, McCall 9, Cureton 9, Doyle 8, X. Griffin 6, Farley 6, K. Griffin 2, Dominguez 2.

Catawba 36 42 — 78
Wingate 25 37 — 62

Catawba women
Catawba’s women’s basketball team struggled at Wingate on Wednesday and lost 74-53.
Wingate (17-8, 14-7) was sharp in the first half and shot 56.7 percent. Catawba trailed 45-30 at halftime.
Catawba (15-12, 12-9) shot just 29.7 percent for the game and 4-for-17 on 3-pointers.
The Indians forced 24 turnovers, but they committed 22 themselves.
Freshman Danasia Witherspoon led the Bulldogs with 14 points.
Terri Rogers scored 12 points for the Indians. Khadijah Brown had nine points and five rebounds.
Wingate won its seventh straight game and secured a first-round home game in the upcoming SAC tourney.

Wingate 74, Catawba 53

CATAWBA (53)
Taylor 27, Morrison 11, Warren 11, Brown 9, Sampah 6, McLaughlin 5, Marijosius 5, Burney 4, Perkins, Sealey.
WINGATE (74)
Baez 20, McCall 9, Cureton 9, Doyle 8, X. Griffin 6, Farley 6, K. Griffin 2, Dominguez 2.

Catawba 14 16 15 8 — 53
Wingate 22 23 20 9 — 74

Catawba athletics
Catawba’s baseball and softball teams had games postponed on Wednesday by weather.
•••
Catawba senior Carley Tysinger was named the Louisville/Slugger NFCA Division II National Pitcher of the Week on Wednesday afternoon.
“For Catawba, it’s an incredible accomplishment,” coach Nan Whitley said. “Carley is a very focused, hard working and dedicated student-athlete. She is definitely a team player despite all the individual accolades she has received.”
Tysinger had a memorable weekend in the circle for the seventh-ranked and undefeated Indians (10-0). The right-handed hurler not only went 4-0 with a 0.25 ERA and three shutouts, but she reached the 1,000-strikeout plateau on Sunday, Feb. 21.
“I know that reaching 1,000 strikeouts is a huge accomplishment and this may sound cliché, but it’s true, I never would have come close to this goal if it wasn’t for the amazing catchers and coaching staff we have calling pitches,” said Tysinger. “I have complete trust in my teammates on the field and in the batter’s box to get the job done day in and day out.”