Staff report
ROCK HILL, S,C, — Catawba’s men’s basketball team had 23 offensive rebounds and only nine turnovers, and you’re going to win games with either of those numbers.
Third-seeded Catawba beat second-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne 96-89 in a SAC Tournament semifinal played in front of 425 fans on Friday night in the Rock Hill Sports & Event Center.
Catawba (23-7) has won two out of three against the Bears (24-8) this season.
The Indians broke on top 10-0, and while the Bears got back as close as 16-15, the Indians led all the way. Catawba took a 43-27 lead to the break and was up by as many as 20 in the second half. L-R made the final score look close with a lot of points in the final minutes.
Lenoir-Rhyne shot 48 percent and made 13 3-pointers, but the Indians had overwhelming advantages in the rebounding and turnover battles.
Catawba also got an extraordinary 32-point effort from Jordan Simpson. Catawba made seven 3s. Simpson made six of them.
Ibra Athie delivered 23 points and 11 rebounds as Catawba advanced to Saturday’s 4 p.m. championship game against top-seeded Anderson. The Trojans are ranked seventh in Division II.
Carson Daniel had 11 points and seven assists for Catawba.
The Bears put six in double figures. Tyler Burraston led with 17.
Catawba 43 53 — 96
L-R 27 62 — 89
CATAWBA — Simpson 32, Athie 23, Carson Daniel 11, McDuffie 8, Banks 7, Walker 6, Chase Daniel 3, Lindsey 2, Tucker 2, Hawkins 2.
