Catawba survives Lions' second half rally
The Mars Hill men's basketball team (8-17, 3-12 SAC) was defeated by Catawba (18-6, 13-2 SAC) by a score of 84-81 Wednesday evening.
MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (8-17, 3-12 SAC) was defeated by Catawba (18-6, 13-2 SAC) by a score of 84-81 Wednesday evening.
The Indians, trailing 76-73 with less than three minutes to play, tied the contest off of a Kris Robinson three-pointer. The shot was the catalyst for a 5-0 run that saw the Lions trail 78-76 with 2:24 to play. Fending off the Lions 82-78, Catawba's defense left Kory Davis open to drain a three-pointer, pulling Mars Hill within one with less than a minute to go.
Davis would force a turnover with less than 10 seconds to play and drive up the floor, but the ball came loose among a sea of bodies, ultimately falling out of play off of a Mars Hill body. Kaleb Wallace was fouled moments later, hitting both of his free throw attempts, pushing the lead to three.
Catawba outscored the Lions 49-46 in the half with Robinson leading the team with 11 points. Javeon Jones added eight. Mars Hill shot nearly 60 percent from the floor, but did hit 6-of-10 threes in the half. Both Davis and Isaiah Jones netted two apiece while Davis led all players with 15 points in the frame.
The contest was tied at 35 at the end of the first 20 minutes. Kendall Davis led the Lions with nine points followed by Jones' eight. Javeon Jones led Catawba with seven points while the trio of Robinson, Wallace, and Peyton Gerald each recorded six apiece.
Robinson led the Indians with 17 points while Jones added 15 on the night. Gerald led the team with eight rebounds.
Mars Hill shot 51 percent from the floor and hit 10-of-18 three-pointers, going 56 percent from beyond the arc. All five starters recorded double-digit points, led by Kory Davis' 17. Jones posted 16 points and tied for a team-high with seven rebounds. Rajuan Conner netted 15 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Prosper Obidiebube added 12 points and an additional seven rebounds.
The Lions close out their 2022-23 road schedule when they face Coker on Saturday, February 18. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m.