Staff report

SALISBURY — Both teams shot 43.9 percent and both teams went 8-for-26 on 3-pointers.

Lenoir-Rhyne matched Catawba’s shooting at Goodman Gym on Saturday in a South Atlantic Conference opener, but the Indians had the edge in the hustle stats and beat the Bears 85-74.

The number that jumped off the stat sheet for Catawba (3-1, 1-0) was 17 steals, including eight by Javeon Jones.

The advantage in steals led to Catawba winning the turnover battle 23-17 in front of 226 happy fans.

Catawba also pounded the Bears on the backboards, with 41 rebounds, including 17 on the offensive end. Catawba’s huge edge in second-chance points was 21-6.

Jones led the Indians with 17 points. Kris Robinson made four 3-pointers and scored 16. DeAngelo Epps scored 11, while Kaleb Wallace had 10.

Tay Smith led the Bears (4-3, 0-1) with 19 points.

Lenoir-Rhyne led in the early stages of the game, but a steal and dunk by Jones sparked the Indians and they took charge with about seven minutes left in the half.

Catawba led 41-33 at the half.

Lenoir-Rhyne 33   41   — 74

Catawba            41   44    — 85

LENOIR-RHYNE — Smith 19, Tyson 15, Taylor 15, Mebane 11, Franklin 4, Steele 4, Fowler 2, Paez 2, Martin 2.

CATAWBA –  Jones 17, Robinson 16, Epps 11, Wallace 10, Gerald 8, White 8, Banks 6, Thomas 6, Mitchell 3.