Cuthbertson Sets SAC Record in Victory
Isaiah Cuthbertson set the South Atlantic Conference individual game record with 24 rebounds as the Mars Hill men’s basketball team earned their first South Atlantic Conference victory of the 2013-2014 season with a 64-54 win over Catawba.
MARS HILL, N.C. – Isaiah Cuthbertson set the South Atlantic Conference individual game record with 24 rebounds as the Mars Hill men's basketball team earned their first South Atlantic Conference victory of the 2013-2014 season with a 64-54 win over Catawba on Saturday afternoon in Stanford Arena. Mars Hill improves to 3-12 on the season and 1-9 in the SAC, while Catawba drops to 4-10 and 4-6 in the league.
Cuthbertson led the Lions with a SAC record 24 rebounds, breaking the old conference record of 23 held by Andrew Brown of Mars Hill. Brown made his mark on the conference record book on December 12, 1998. Cuthbertson pulled down 15 rebounds in the first half. Cuthbertson finished four rebounds shy of the school record 28, set by Duke Fisher on Feb. 9, 1965 against Wilmington. In addition, Cuthbertson scored a game high 26 points, with Devonte Williams contributing 14 points to a winning cause.
Catawba was led by Vismantas Marijosiu's 13 points, with Tyrece Little adding 12 points.
After Catawba got on the board in the first two seconds of the game on a Jalen Byrd layup, Mars Hill took an 8-4 lead into the first media timeout. The Lions enjoyed a six point lead, the largest lead by either team in the opening half, with a 12-6 advantage with 12:45 remaining. Catawba cut the Lion lead to as close as two points, but Mars Hill led 30-26 at halftime.
The second half was a back and forth affair, featuring three lead changes and one ties. Mars Hill enjoyed a 32-28 lead before Catawba went back ahead, 40-39, with 12:21 to play. Mars Hill tied the game at 44 just before the midpoint of the half before retaking the lead for good after a Williams layup with 7:50 to play. Catawba cut the lead to three, 55-52, with 3:25 to play before the Lions went on a 9-2 run to close out the victory.
Mars Hill will travel to No. 11 ranked Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday for an 8 p.m. tipoff.
