Carson-Newman drops 92-84 decision to Catawba
Feb. 25, 2009
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. -- The Carson-Newman men's basketball team dropped its 10th straight game Wednesday night, falling to Catawba 92-84 in a South Atlantic Conference matchup at Holt Fieldhouse.
The Eagles couldn't overcome a poor second half in which they shot just 37 percent (10-of-27) from the floor, while Catawba torched the nets at a 61.1 percent (22-of-36) clip. The Indians outscored C-N 54-37 during the final 20 minutes.
With the loss, the Eagles are now 6-20 overall and 3-12 in the SAC. Catawba improves to 17-9 on the season and 9-6 in the conference.
Tray Okoth (Richmond, Va.) tossed in 19 points and pulled down eight rebounds to lead the Eagles, while Andrew Johnson (Cairo, Ga.) added 15 points and Darron Maxtion (Huntsville, Ala.) finished with 14.
Donald Rutherford (Morganton, N.C.) fired in 22 points to lead five Indians in double figures. Antonio Houston (Charlotte, N.C.) netted 20 points, Rob Fields (Orangeburg, S.C.) scored 17, Donzell Williams (Salem, Va.) finished with 14 and Cliff Burns (Cooleemee, N.C.) chipped in 10 in the win.
The Eagles shot 43.9 percent (29-of-66) from the field on the night, including 9-of-25 from 3-point range. Catawba shot 50 percent (39-of-78) but was 0-for-13 from behind the arc.
C-N led by as much as 11 points in the first half at 39-28 after Johnson sank a jumper with 3:40 remaining.
Catawba cut C-N's lead down to 41-36 on a layup by Williams with 1:30 remaining, but the Eagles closed out the half on a 6-2 run to take a 47-38 lead into halftime.
To open the second half, the Indians quickly cut C-N's lead down to 49-48 on a layup by Houston at the 17:21 mark.
However, the Eagles responded with an 8-0 run capped by a Johnson jumper with 16:00 left that put C-N ahead 57-48.
But it was all Catawba the rest of the way as the Indians outscored C-N 44-27 to close out the game.
C-N returns to the hardwood on Saturday in a home matchup against Wingate. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Holt Fieldhouse.
