SALISBURY, NC -- The UVA Wise men's basketball team mounted a strong comeback after being down double digits late in the second half and tied the game with less than two minutes left, but host Catawba held on to escape with the 72-66 South Atlantic Conference win Saturday afternoon.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Result: Catawba 72, UVA Wise 66
Records: UVA Wise (12-4, 5-3 SAC); Catawba (11-3, 6-2 SAC)
Location: Salisbury, NC | Goodman Arena
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The first half started with Catawba gaining an early advantage through a pair of 3-pointers by Jordan Simpson, including one assisted by Justin Banks, for a 6-0 lead. The Cavs responded with
Patrick Shelley's 3-pointer, narrowing the gap to 6-3. The teams traded baskets before UVA Wise tied it up at 13-13. Catawba went on a run to take a 23-14 lead with Simpson once again hitting back-to-back threes. UVA Wise closed the half's scoring with a jumper from
Cy Hardy, but Catawba maintained a strong lead at 39-31 at the half.
- Catawba extended the lead to eleven points and held a ten point lead with five minutes remaining before the Cavs made a concerted effort to close the gap, with
Evan Ramsey contributing key points and Shelley hitting a 3-pointer to tie the game at 66 with 1:57 remaining. However, Ibra Athie's free throws with 13 seconds left, followed by Jordan Simpson's layup, sealed the 72-66 win for Catawba.
GETTING WISE
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Kam Roberts led the team in scoring with 16 points and also had three rebounds.
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Patrick Shelley scored 13 points and pulled down five rebounds.
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Yoro Diallo had ten points and eight rebounds.
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Evan Ramsey scored eight points and had eight rebounds in addition to two blocks.
UP NEXT
The Highland Cavaliers will return home to host Tusculum next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Pioneers lead the all-time series 36-22, but the Cavs have won three of the last five meetings, including both meetings last season.
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