Staff report

WINGATE — Old rivals battled for first place in the South Atlantic Conference standings on Wednesday.

The game lived up to the hype, but Catawba’s men’s basketball team could not overcame an outstanding individual performance by Wingate’s Donell Nixon II.

Nixon scored 34 points in a 93-90 overtime victory by the Bulldogs (11-3, 6-0). He made the 3-pointer with 11 seconds left in regulation that enabled Wingate to get to OT. Then he hit a number of clutch free throws in the overtime session.

Catawba (7-2, 5-1) got 20 points from DeAngelo Epps and 19 from Javeon Jones. Kris Robinson added 13.

Catawba led 75-72 late in regulation, but Nixon connected on a 3-pointer with 11 seconds left to tie, and Jones missed late in regulation on what would have been a game-winner.

With Catawba down four points in the overtime, Robinson made a 3-pointer with four seconds left to cut Wingate’s lead to 91-90. Nixon added two free throws for the final margin.

Catawba shot only 37.5 percent, but was 22-for-26 from the foul line, including 10-for-10 by Epps and 6-for-6 by Jones.

The Indians made eight 3-pointers and committed 15 turnovers

Wingate got 16 points from Corbin Pack and 14 from Vontrez Roberts. Wingate shot 44 percent and was able to survive a big Catawba edge on the boards.

Catawba will have to move on quickly, as the Indians will host Lincoln Memorial on Saturday at 4 p.m.

Catawba    36     39    15    — 90

Wingate    34      41   18     — 93

CATAWBA — Epps 20, Jones 19, Robinson 13, Wallace 9, Mitchell 8. Banks 7, Thomas 6, Nelson 4, Gerald 4.

WINGATE — Nixon 34, Pack 16, Roberts 14, Hall 7, Bell 4, Taylor 4, Miller 4, Barbour 4, Lingo 3, Massey 3.