Staff report

SALISBURY —  Nala Baker made two big 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, and Catawba’s women’s basketball team beat Lenoir-Rhyne 71-56.

It was the South Atlantic Conference opener for the Indians, who bounced back from a loss at North Georgia.

Catawba led 50-48 going to the fourth quarter, but finished strong.

Baker scored 21 points on 6-for-9 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds. Sara McIntosh had 18 points and eight rebounds. Lyrik Thorne scored 17.

Janiya Downs didn’t have a good shooting day, but had a team-high four assists.

Catawba (4-1, 1-0) did a lot of things well, limiting the Bears to four 3-pointers and keeping them off the foul line.

Catawba won the turnover battle 20-16, had more offensive rebounds and made free throws (20-for-26).

Blaikley Crooks scored 21 to lead the Bears (4-3, 0-1).

 

Lenoir Rhyne    16   12    20   8 — 56

Catawba            18    17    15   21   — 71

LENOIR-RHYNE — Crooks 21, Jones 11, Harman 10, Gathers 4, Glass 3, Lindstrom 3, Hill 2, Landsiedel 2.

CATAWBA — Baker 21, McIntosh 18, Thorne 17, Downs 9, Spry 4, Wilson 1, Porter 1.