Staff report

SALISBURY —  Catawba’s women’s basketball team played like the nation’s sixth-ranked team is supposed to play on Wednesday and ran to a 101-88 victory against Anderson.

Lyrik Thorne scored 30 points on 11-for-16 shooting in the South Atlantic Conference game and made four 3-pointers. She had seven assists.

Janiya Downs also was outstanding. The former South Rowan phenom had 24 points on 11-for-19 shooting and grabbed six rebounds.

Nala Baker scored 17 points, while Sara McIntosh had 10. Jada Porter had eight points. Mary Spry (Carson) came off the bench for six.

Both teams shot a sizzling 50 percent and both teams made 11 3-pointers. Catawba (6-1, 3-0) got more trips to the foul line, including some technical free throws, and also got more shots up thanks to a 24-16 edge in the turnover battle.

Anderson had three players with 20 or more points, led by Zamiya Passmore’s 22.

Depth was a factor, Catawba trailed 46-43 at halftime, but was the fresher team for the second half.

Anderson (7-3, 0-2) played four starters the entire game and got zero points off the bench. Catawba got substantial minutes and 12 points from reserves.

Anderson       26    20    16   26   — 88

Catawba        18      25    27    31    — 101

CATAWBA — Thorne 30, Downs 24, Baker 17, McIntosh 10, Porter 8, Spry 6. Foskey 4, Helpman 2.