Staff report

SALISBURY — Mars Hill’s men’s basketball team enjoyed a 20-1 run against Catawba in the second half of Saturday’s game, so it’s not like it was smooth sailing, but the Indians came out of it with a South Atlantic Conference win.

Catawba led by 16 at the half  and was cruising by 18 early in the second half when the wheels suddenly came off.

Fortunately, all that the 20-1 run by Mars Hill did was wipe out Catawba’s lead and scare the 353 fans at Goodman Arena. The Mars Hill spree came early enough that the Indians still had time to to regroup, and they did. They won 83-74 and avoided a devastating home loss to one of the South Atlantic Conference’s bottom teams.

Kory Davis, SAC Freshman of the year a couple of years ago, scored 28 to lead the Lions (4-8, 2-8). Kadyn Dawkins, a 1,000-point scorer, added 19.

Nick Walker had 16 points and nine rebounds to lead the Indians (8-5, 6-4). Ibra Athie scored 14. Jashaun Hawkins got all of his 13 points in the first half and helped the Indians take a 43-27 lead to the break.

Catawba’s edge was in the turnover battle where the Indians forced 28, while committing 16.

Mars  Hill    27    47   — 74

Catawba     43     40   — 83

CATAWBA scoring — Walker 16, Athie 14, Hawkins 13, Robinson 9, Tinsley 7, Buchanan 6, McDuffie 6, Tucker 4, Jones 3, Hilliard 3, Chase Daniel 2.