By Horace Billings

Salisbury Post

The Catawba women's basketball put on a record-breaking performance in an 85-80 SAC victory over Lincoln Memorial at Goodman Gym on Wednesday.

Catawba shot 76 percent in the second half and a school-record 65.3 percent (32-for-49) for the night to notch its first league win.

"Not many teams can make 76 percent of their shots in a half," Catawba coach Angie Morton said. "We did a lot of things very well."

The Indians trailed by 13 midway through the first half, were behind 46-38 at halftime and still trailed by three heading into the final minutes.

NeKeithia Howard led the way for Catawba (8-9, 1-4) with a career-high 25 points on 12-for-15 field-goal shooting and had seven rebounds. Back-to-back baskets by Howard gave Catawba an 81-80 lead, and Sicilia LoSauro hit two free throws for a three-point lead with 25 seconds left.

Former West Rowan standout Hillary Hampton scored 16 points, shot 8-for-9 from the foul line, logged eight assists and hit two clinching free throws with six seconds left.

LoSauro collected 11 points, and Brittany Higgins added 10. Cameron Clark contributed seven assists.

Kara Harris scored 23 points for Lincoln Memorial (8-8, 1-5), while Stephanie Wagner had 20.

Catawba held a 30-25 edge on the glass and overcame 21 turnovers.

LINCOLN MEMORIAL (80) — Harris 23, Wagner 20, Davis 12, Benton 10, Nichols 9, Winney 6.

CATAWBA (85) — Howard 25, Hampton 16, LoSauro 11, Higgins 10, Clark 6, Crane 6, Bartlett 6, Whitley 5, K. Long.

L. Memorial 46 34 — 80

Catawba 38 47 — 85