Staff report

SALISBURY —Catawba’s women’s basketball team had its hands full with last-place Queens but managed to pull out a 74-71 victory on Wednesday at Goodman Gym..

“Queens is playing everyone tough now,” Catawba coach Terrence Baxter said. “We told our team to forget about Queens’ record and go play. There are no easy conference games.”

Catawba (9-6, 4-4) got 18 points from post player Talia Barnes. The bench also came through with Mercedes Wampler (14), Keyotta Garris (8) and Emily Phillips (8) combining for 30 points.

“Wampler was our MVP tonight, offensively and defensively,” Baxter said.

Taisha DeShazo, who frequently leads Catawba’s scoring, was held to eight points.

“She had a tough night, but she went back in the game and hit the big shot of the game for us,” Baxter said. “That’s what a big-time player does.”

That shot was a 3-pointer. DeShazo made it with 3:02 remaining to tie the game at 67-all.

Catawba took a 69-67 lead with 2:20 remaining when Wampler finished on a fast break. Madi Hallman made the pass.

Hallman (13 points) was the key Indian down the stretch, making a string of clutch free throws. She was 8-for-9 from the line.

“Madi did a great job of controlling the game at the end,” Baxter said. “It was ugly, but we got through it.”

With Catawba leading by three points late, DeShazo made another huge play, blocking a 3-point attempt.

Catawba held Queens without a field goal the last five minutes.

Lade Adepoju scored 22 for Queens (5-9, 0-8).

Catawba travels to Anderson on Saturday afternoon.

 

QUEENS (71) — Adepoju 22, McMillan 14, Golden 9, Leavai 8, Bernardeco 6, Eanes 6, Moore 3, Logan 2, Wang 1.

CATAWBA (74) — Barnes 18, Wampler 14, Hallman 13, Garris 8, Phillips 8, DeShazo 8, Gardner 3, Webb 2, Stanback.

Queens     15    20   21    15   — 71

Catawba   15    21    18  20    — 74