Staff report

SALISBURY — Turnovers piled up for Catawba’s women’s basketball team. Points didn’t.

Catawba had an awful night against Wingate in a 56-41 loss, maybe it’s worst outing of the season as far as assists (6) and turnovers (30).

Wingate turned those 30 turnovers into 28 easy points.

On an average night, the Indians dish 12 assists and commit 18 turnovers.

Wingate had beaten the Indians in December, 83-63, on their home floor and won a much slower South Atlantic Conference contest on Wednesday at Goodman Gym.

Catawba was in trouble from the start, falling behind 8-0 shortly after tip-off. Catawba (10-10, 5-8) trailed 23-9 after a quarter and by 36-18 at halftime.

Catawba put together an 11-1 run late in the third quarter, but even then, there wasn’t much pressure on second-place Wingate (16-5, 11-3).

Wingate  led by as many as 19 points and won comfortably despite an ordinary shooting night from the field (37 percent) and only two made 3-pointers in 10 attempts. The Bulldogs turned it over 21 times.

Catawba shot worse than the Bulldogs, 2-for-13 on 3-pointers and 31.9 percent from the field.

Talia Barnes led Catawba with 10 points and nine rebounds. Elizabeth Webb had a nice game, shooting 4-for-6 and scoring nine.

But Catawba couldn’t overcome cold nights for Taisha DeShazo and Madi Hallman. Those two have to score for Catawba to have a chance against good teams. They combined for only six points.

Caroline Averette scored 19 for Wingate. Courtney Robinson had 16. Averette and Robinson also did the bulk of the damage against the Indians in the game at Wingate.

The 41 points were the fewest Catawba has scored this season and also the fewest Wingate has allowed in a game.

Wingate is 35-25 against Catawba all-time and has split the 28 games played in Salisbury.

WINGATE (56) — Averette 19, Robinson 16, Stephen 5, Helms 4, Jeter 4, Quick 4, Snow 4, Witherspoon, Simmons.

CATAWBA (41) — Barnes 10, Webb 9, Wampler 7, Stanback 6, DeShazo 4, Phillips 3, Hallman 2, Garris, Gardner.

Wingate   23    13   11   9   — 56

Catawba   9      9     17   6   — 41