Catawba Rolls to SAC Title in 91-55 Win Over PC
SALISBURY, NC – Junior Danyel Locklear (Pembroke, NC) set a school record for a game, scoring 41 points, as the Lady Indians clinched the 2002-03 South Atlantic Conference Women’s Basketball Championship with a 91-55 win over visiting Presbyterian on Wednesday night at Goodman Gym.
The win also gives Catawba the top seed in next week’s league tournament. Catawba improves to 21-5 overall and 11-2 in the SAC, while Presbyterian falls to 11-14 and 6-7.
Catawba never trailed in the contest and began to pull away in the final eight minutes of the first half. After a jumper by Presbyterian’s Billie Haskins (Greensboro, GA) with 8:39 left pulled the Blue Hose within 20-18, the Lady Indians used a 16-1 run to grab a 36-19 lead with 2:59 in the half. Catawba would lead 42-24 at the break as Locklear tallied 21.
The Lady Indians continues to build on its lead in the final half. A three-pointer by Desiree Pugh (Norlina, NC) with 18:33 remaining gave Catawba a 47-26 lead and Presbyterian never closed within 20 points. The Lady Indians held a 40 point lead at 89-49 in the final minute.
Catawba shot 58% in each half, while Presbyterian hit just 33% of its attempts for the game. Catawba also held a 42-29 edge on the boards. Ashley Cox (Richmond, VA) followed Locklear with 17 points for Catawba and added seven assists. Isiaette Darden (Wilson, NC) had 11. Presbyterian was led by Haskins, who had 13 points, and Rebecca Wessinger (Laurens, SC), who had 12 points and eight rebounds.