Hicks' late free throws lift Catawba over LMU

HARROGATE, TN -- Dana Hicks (York, SC/Gaston Day) shook off a poor shooting night, recording her tenth double-double and hitting two winning free throws with just over 10 seconds remaining, to help lift Catawba to a 56-55 victory over host Lincoln Memorial in South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball action on Tuesday night at Turner Arena.  The Catawba Indians improve to 7-4 overall and 2-0 in the SAC, while the Lady Railsplitters fall to 4-3 and 0-2.

Hicks finished with 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Lady Indians, but made only 6-of-27 shots.  She did can 7-of-9 free throws, including the final two to help Catawba rally for the win.  Milica Ivanovic (Belgrade, SERBIA/Sports High/Bethel) also poured in 19 for Catawba.

 Dayshalee Salaman scored 16 points to pace Lincoln Memorial.  Patrice Talley followed with 14 points and eight rebounds, scoring a dozen in the second half.

Catawba stayed close at the half despite shooting just 24% (8-of-33) thanks to a dozen Lady Railsplitter turnovers.  Hicks had six points and seven rebounds in the first half, but went just 2-of-14 from the floor.  LMU shot 41% and held a 25-19 edge on the boards to lead 27-23 at the break.

The Lady Indians’ shooting woes continued into the second half and Lincoln Memorial opened the second stanza with a 10-1 run to go up 37-24.  Six of those points came from Talley.  After the slow start, Catawba regrouped and a pair of three-pointers by Ivanovic closed the gap to 39-35 with 12 minutes to play.

Hicks eventually pulled Catawba even at 41-all on a pair of free throws with 7:47 remaining.  The Lady Indians got a basket by Hicks and two more from Ivanovic in a 6-0 run to take a 54-50 lead with 2:19 left.

Salaman responded, scoring five straight points for LMU, and eventually put the Splitters back on top at 55-54 with a pair of free throws with 23 seconds left.  Hicks was fouled after an initial attempt by Ivanovic was blocked.  Salaman missed a shot at the buzzer for LMU.

Catawba would shoot just 27% in the win, but pulled even on the board as both teams finished with 46 and committed 17 turnovers to 23 for LMU.  The Lady Railsplitters finished at 38% shooting for the contest.