Staff report

WINGATE  — Catawba’s women’s basketball team traveled to Wingate on Wednesday, red-hot from the 3-point line, but was cooled off by the Bulldogs.

After 27 made 3-pointers in their last two outings, the Indians shot 4-for-16 from long-range at Cuddy Arena and fell to the Bulldogs, 59-51.

It was an important game, with both teams ranked in the region. Wingate (11-3, 7-2) drew even with Catawba (10-4, 7-2) in the battle for third place in the South Atlantic Conference standings. Wingate has won six games in a row.

Terri Rogers kept Catawba in the game with 23 points on 10-for-15 shooting and produced eight boards.  Bri Johnson added 13 points but was held to one 3-pointer, after making six on Saturday. Serena Brown handed out eight assists.

“Catawba is an outstanding team,” Wingate coach Ann Hancock says.  “They have two of the best players in the league. I thought our defensive effort made the difference. For us to hold  Johnson below her average is major. Holding Rogers  below her rebounding average is also big.” 

Courtney Robinson led Wingate with a season-high 16 points, with Alex Tomlinson adding a dozen. Marta Miscenko, 6-foot-4, posted a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds and helped Wingate control the glass. The Bulldogs had 17 offensive boards to Catawba’s  nine and out-rebounded the Indians, 43-32.

Down 15-9 late in the first quarter, the Bulldogs enjoyed an 18-3 run to take control and never let go. Wingate  led 32-26 at the break.

Johnson and Rogers fueled a run by Catawba early in the third quarter, and a bucket by Rogers cut Wingate’s lead to 38-35, but the Bulldogs responded with a 9-2 burst and pulled away for good.

Catawba travels to undefeated and sixth-ranked Lincoln Memorial on Saturday to face the top team in the Southeast Region. Tipoff is at 2 p.m.

CATAWBA (51)
Rogers 23, Johnson 13, Brown 7, Hallman 3, Butler 3, Newbold 2, Angelo, Webb, Franklin, Tucker.
WINGATE (59)
Robinson 16, Tomlinson 12, Miscenko 11, Tricoli 6, Averette 5, Neely 5, Witherspoon 4, Rumplasch.

Catawba  15  11  15  10 — 51

Wingate  14  18  15  12  — 59