SALISBURY, N.C. – Sophomore guard Andrew Robinson had a career-high 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds, but the Wolves lost to Catawba 86-83 Wednesday night.
 
Sophomore guard Tai Giger sank a jump shot for the first points of the game to give Newberry an early 2-0 lead. However, it was the only lead the Wolves owned the rest of the way. Giger finished with 15 points highlighted by a 4-9 (44%) performance from downtown.
 
Over the first 7:52 of the game, Catawba stormed out to a 22-9 lead. The Wolves responded with a 10-2 run lasting 3:44 and featuring two three-pointers from Robinson. The sophomore from Lexington S.C. finished the evening going perfect from beyond the arc (3-3) and at the free throw line (6-6).
 
Catawba responded to Newberry's run with a 16-5 run spanning 5:13, giving the home team a 42-24 lead. Catawba's 18-point advantage was their biggest of the night. Junior guard Trevon Hobson sank a pair of free throws just before halftime, but the Wolves were still trailing by double-digits, 47-34.
 
Newberry began to eat away at the deficit 3:06 into the second half. Senior guard Marcus Ford sank a three to kick off a 13-0 run lasting 3:34. Junior forward TJ Brown made the final basket of the run which brought Newberry within two points of Catawba.
 
Brown was the team's leading scorer, finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds, and two assists. He shot 5-6 (83.3%) from the free throw line.
 
With 8:55 to play, a few personal fouls and a technical foul against Catawba sent the Wolves to the line for five free throws. Brown sank all three he attempted, and Ford knocked down both of his to bring Newberry back within reach, 66-63. The game remained close for the remainder of the half and Robinson brought his team within one point of the lead with another three-pointer as the Wolves trailed 73-72 with 3:49 to play.
 
Catawba went on a 5-0 run that included two dunks and a free throw. The run ended with just 0:34 to play and Catawba up 81-74. Robinson made two layups and a pair of free throws and Ford sank another three down the stretch, but Catawba was able to keep pace by sinking 5-6 (83.3) of their free throws as they held on for an 86-83 win.

FAST FACTS

• Newberry featured four players in double-figures for the first time this season.
• Brown is averaging 22.3 points over his last three games.
• Newberry shot 14-33 (42.4%) from beyond the arc and 17-21 (81.0%) at the free throw line.
• The Wolves made a season-high 14 three-pointers.
• As a team, Newberry has scored 80+ points in back-to-back games for the second time this season, averaging 82.0 points in those two games.

NEXT UP

Newberry (7-4, 7-4 SAC) hits the road for a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Feb. 20 against Mars Hill (1-13, 1-13 SAC).