SALISBURY, N.C. - The Newberry College women's basketball team fell to Catawba in South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday afternoon. Newberry (12-5, 5-2 SAC) couldn't get its shots to fall down the stretch and Catawba (12-6, 5-2) capitalized to draw even with the scarlet and gray in the SAC standings.
Newberry was outrebounded in the game for only the fourth time this season as Catawba pulled down 39 boards compared to Newberry's 35. Newberry is just 1-3 in games when outrebounded by its opponent.
Both teams shot well in the affair with Catawba just edging out the scarlet and gray from the floor. Catawba shot .426 (26-61) while Newberry shot .422 (27-64) from the floor.
Newberry only got to the free-throw line six times in the game and capitalized on just half of those attempts. Catawba, inversely, was 11-13 (.846) from the free-throw line.
The teams were deadlocked throughout the entire first period. Each team saw its biggest lead at four points when Newberry went up 13-9 with 13:39 remaining and Catawba used a run to take a 22-18 lead roughly five minutes later.
Newberry closed and took a lead late in the half but Catawba answered with a jumper with 12 seconds remaining to take a 29-28 lead into the half. The first half saw four ties and six lead changes.
The second half was equally competitive and neither team stretch a lead further than two points until midway through the half. Late in the game, Newberry was held scoreless for two minutes and 14 seconds while Catawba opened up a 62-56 lead. Newberry cut the deficit back to four points but saw quality attempts rattle out down the stretch.
Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) led Newberry in scoring for the sixth time this season with 16 points. Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) ended her day with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocks. Jessica Bearzatto (Melbourne, Australia) led Newberry's rebounding efforts with nine boards. Bearzatto also scored eight points and added an assist.
Newberry returns to action on Wednesday, January 27 when the scarlet and gray host Brevard. Newberry is 8-0 this season in Eleazer Arena.
