NEWBERRY, S.C. - Newberry picked up their first South Atlantic Conference victory tonight, 76-48, over Catawba College in women's basketball action at Eleazer Arena.  The Indians of Newberry used tough defense and a dominant performance on the glass to send their fellow Indians packing. 

It is Newberry's first regular season win over Catawba in 20 games.  The last regular season win over Catawba came in 1988.  Catawba holds a 19-6 advantage in the series, but Newberry has won the prior two meetings, including the first round Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament matchup last season.

With the win, Newberry improves to 9-5 overall and 1-1 in the SAC, while Catawba falls to 6-9 overall and 1-1 in the conference.

Following a 31-26 halftime lead, the Lady Indians of Newberry never looked back in the second stanza as they continued to add to their lead by forcing Catawba into bad shots.  The Lady Indians of Catawba shot just 29.1% from the floor on the game.  Newberry held their opponents scoreless for nearly four minutes as they piled up an 11-point lead, 44-33, with 12:09 to go.  The Lady Indians led by as many as 30 and held Catawba to just 22 second half points.

Play went back and forth at the beginning of the game, until the Lady Indians of Newberry started to take over.  Catawba, however, fought back and erased a five-point lead, taking the lead at 13-12 with 9:48 left.  Newberry was able to turn up the defensive intensity and went on to outscore the Catawba 12-6 in the last 4:35 of the half.

Three Lady Indians of Newberry racked up double-figures, including Monica Alexander (Norcross, Ga.) and Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) with 14 apiece, and Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) with 12.  Frasier also grabbed a game-high 12 boards.  Tamekia Foster (Chesapeake, Va.) and Hannah Davis (Williamsburg, Va.) paced Catawba with 12 each.

Next up for Newberry is a conference road game at Wingate University on January 14 at 2 p.m.  Catawba travels to Tusculum College on January 14 for a 2 p.m. game.