Six double-figure scorers helps Catawba to win in opener

SALISBURY, NC -- Catawba placed six players in double figures in taking a 101-83 win over Urbana at the Highway 52 Shootout at Goodman Gym on Saturday night. Sophomore Kelvin Drakeford (Charlotte, NC/Cannon School/Barton) led the way with 17 points as the Catawba Indians won their opener. The Blue Knights fell to 0-2.

The Indians never trailed and went ahead for good at 7-4 on a Stuart Thomson (Poynton, ENGLAND) Poynton) three-pointer with 17:37 to go in the opening half. Urbana closed within 20-19 on consecutive baskets by Sharif Muhammad, but Drakeford hit two three-pointers and Keon Moore (Colerain, NC/Bertie HS) a third as Catawba took a 29-21 lead.

Catawba closed the opening half on a 12-3 run that was capped on Moore’s three-pointer at the buzzer of the half. Urbana got as close as nine with 8:18 remaining, but Lee Martin (Mt. Airy, NC/N. Surry HS/Hargrave) scored five straight points and the Indians would lead 90-72 after a Drakeford tip-in with 4:02 left.

Justin Huntley (Mooresville, NC/Mooresville HS) followed Drakeford with 16 points with Moore, a freshman, adding 15. Martin and Dominick Reid (Charlotte, NC/Cannon School) each scored 13 poitns and grabbed eight and seven rebounds, respectively. Thomson rounded out the double digit scorers with 10 points.

Muhammed and Robert Wilson each had double-doubles for Urbana. Muhamad hit for a game-high 22 points, while Wilson added 11 points. Each grabbed a dozen rebounds. Marcus Pearl and Ramel Mitchell each scored 15 points and Dyrell Dolson had 13.

Catawba shot just over 50% for the game and hit on 25-of-33 free throws. The Indians also held a commanding 49-35 edge on the boards.