Basketball (M)

December 19, 2020

Men's Basketball Downs Mars Hill in Overtime

MARS HILL, N.C. -- Catawba scored the final six points of regulation then went ahead for good on Ben Bowen’s layup in the final minute of over time, grabbing an 83-81 win over host Mars Hill in South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Stanford Arena. The Catawba Indians snap a three-game losing streak, moving to 2-3 overall and 2-3 in the SAC. The Lions fall to 0-3 and 0-3.

Down 72-66 inside the final minute of regulation, Catawba got two layups by Larry McLeod around another by Carter Phillips to send the game to extra time. McLeod first scored with 51 seconds left. After an offensive foul by the Lions, Phillips cut the margin to 72-70 with 16 seconds to go.

McLeod got a steal in the backcourt and his layup with eight seconds left tied the game. Mars Hill had a chance to retake the lead at the foul line, by Reggie Wright missed a free throw with six seconds remaining.

A layup by Bowen and a three-pointer by Terrence Whitfield put Catawba up 77-72 early in overtime before Mars Hill rallied and went up 79-78 on a jumper by Wright with 1:18 left. Bowen answered with 52 seconds remaining and after a steal by Whitfield, Caleb Robinson hit two free throws with 17 seconds to play. The Lions missed a three-pointer and DJ Johnson iced the game on a free throw with six seconds left.

Taqwain Drummond led the Indians with 16 points. Whitfield followed with 15, while Bowen and McLeod each scored 13. Johnson added nine points and seven rebounds.

Trey Belin scored 22 points for Mars Hill, canning six three-pointers. Wright tallied 19 and handed out five assists.

Catawba is scheduled to return from the holiday break for a contest at Queens on Wednesday, January 6th at 8:00 p.m.

Box Score