Basketball (W)

November 17, 2009

Women's Basketball Wins Opener Behind Ivanovic's 28 Points

SALISBURY, NC -- Junior transfer Milica Ivanovic (Belgrade, SERBIA/Sports High/Bethel) scored a game-high 28 points to lead Catawba to a season-opening 80-66 victory over visiting Saint Paul’s in women’s basketball action on Tuesday night at Goodman Gym.  It was the opener for both teams.

Ivanovic connected on 10-of-19 shots, including a six-of-eight performance from behind the arc, in her debut with the Catawba Indians.  Kisha Long (Dallas, NC/Gaston Day) followed with 17 points and Dana Hicks (York, SC/Gaston Day) added a dozen points and eight rebounds.  Reigning CIAA Player of the Year, Tatiana Ellis (Harlem, NY), led the Tigers with 22 points.  Allukeshia Guy (Plainsville, NJ) had 14 points and DeAudra Brown (Rocky Mount, NC) 11.

Catawba never trailed and went on top for good following Long’s free throw with 8:42 remaining in the first half at 19-18.  Long had two free throws and a three-pointer in the final three minutes of the first half that saw the Lady Indians stretch a 29-28 lead to 37-31 at the break. 

Two layups by Hicks and a three-pointer by Ivanovic built Catawba’s lead to 44-33 early in the second half.  Saint Paul’s trimmed a 13-point deficit to 53-48 with 9:44 left, but Ivanovic had a layup and three-pointer in a 9-2 run that pushed the lead back to double-digits at 62-50 with 7:15 to go.  Ivanovic’s final three-pointer iced the game, giving Catawba its largest lead at 78-61 with 2:14 remaining.

Catawba shot 49% for the game and was a sparkling 10-of-15 from three-point range.  Nisha Long (Dallas, NC/Gaston Day) turned in a solid effort with seven points, six rebounds, eight assists and a pair of steals.  Ivanovic had 16 of her points after the break.  Shalyn Davis (Wilmington, DE) and Kiara Walton (Norfolk, VA) each had seven rebounds for Saint Paul’s. 

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