Staff report

WINGATE — Statistically, Catawba did a lot of things right, including 51.1-percent shooting and 18-for-22 on free throws, but the bottom line was a 69-67 loss at Wingate’s Cuddy Arena on Wednesday.

It was a big South Atlantic Conference game. Wingate (17-3, 11-2) stayed in second place behind frontrunner Carson-Newman, while Catawba (12-9, 10-4)   took a step back. Wingate shot 56.5 percent from the field. The Bulldogs had a big third quarter to take the lead and then held off the Indians.

Carolina Averette led the Bulldogs with 19 points.

Back-to-back jump shots by Serena Brown gave Catawba a 67-65 lead with 1:17 left, but the Indians didn’t score again. Wingate tied the game on a pair of Averette free throws with 56 seconds left. Taziya Moody made two free throws for the decisive points with 13 seconds left.

Catawba had a shot to tie, but Madi Hallman’s jumper with three seconds left didn’t fall, and Wingate center Marta Miscenko secured the rebound.

Brown led the Indians with 19 points. Terri Rogers scored 13.  Marshauna Butler returned from a concussion and contributed eight points. Alexis Newbold also scored eight.

CATAWBA (67) — Brown 19, Rogers 13, Butler 8, Newbold  8, DeShazo 7, Stanback 6, Hallman 4, Tucker 2, Barnes, Franklin.

WINGATE (69) —Averette 19, Robinson 16, Moody 11, Witherspoon 11, Miscenko 10, Barrett 2, Helms.

Catawba    22  11  14  20 —  67

Wingate     16  15  24  14  — 69