Basketball (M)

January 9, 2021

Men's Basketball Falls to Tusculum on Buzzer-Beater

SALISBURY, N.C. -- Tusculum’s Trenton Gibson hit a three-pointer at the buzzer, lifting the visiting Pioneers to a 74-72 win over Catawba in South Atlantic Conference men’s basketball action on Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gym. Tusculum improves to 5-1 overall and 5-1 in the SAC, while the Catawba Indians drop to 2-5 and 2-5.

Gibson’s final shot capped a 13-3 run by the Pioneers over the final three and half minutes. Gibson had missed the front end of a one-and-one with 39 seconds left that could have given the Pioneers the lead. TC kept Catawba from scoring and got the ball back with seven seconds to go, setting up the final shot.

Ben Bowen hit a pair of free throws to give Catawba a 71-64 lead before Gibson added two free throws and a layup after a turnover to cut the margin to 71-68. Marcus Burwell hit one free throw for Catawba then a three-pointer by Zack Dixon made it 72-71 with 1:27 to go.

Catawba had used a 12-0 run to erase a deficit and grab its largest lead of the game at 60-52 with 8:12 remaining.

Terrence Whitfield led Catawba with 15 points. Burwell tossed in 12 points with five assists, while Larry McLeod added 11 points and seven rebounds. Taqwain Drummond posted nine points, sever rebounds and three steals.

Gibson led all scorers with 24 points, adding six assists and four rebounds. Brandon Mitchell had 12 points, nine rebounds and four blocks, while Dixon finished with 10 points.

Catawba will travel to Carson-Newman on Wednesday for a 5:30 pm tip-off.

Box Score