Staff report

SALISBURY — It was storybook stuff.

Jameel Taylor, one of the all-time greats at Catawba and an athlete who hails from Anderson, S.C., led a Senior Day victory against Anderson.

Taylor shot 10-for-14, scored 30 points and grabbed eight rebounds as the Indians held on for a 75-72 victory on Saturday at Goodman Gym. Catawba is 12-2 at home this season.

The tense victory meant a lot on a several levels. Catawba (21-7, 14-6) grabbed the league’s No. 2 seed for the upcoming South Atlantic Conference Tournament. Coach Rob Perron’s team also avenged an 82-80 loss at Anderson on Jan. 19.

Catawba held on for dear life at the end as Anderson, which trailed by 12 with four minutes left, nearly clawed all the way back. Anderson (16-12, 10-10) had a three-game winning streak stopped.

Anderson is the No. 7 seed, which means it will be returning to Catawba for a first-round SAC tourney game on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

Jeremy Bouton scored 18 to lead Anderson, but the Indians were able to stop him on critical possessions at the end. Randall Shaw scored 16.

In addition to Taylor, Catawba honored seniors Jordan Barber, Larry Curry, Jeremy McLaughlin and Jordan McElveen.

McLaughlin and McElveen, who transferred to Catawba for his senior season, have been critical elements in Catawba’s bounce-back season, and Barber and Curry have had their moments.

Anderson led by five points late in the first half, but Catawba can score in bunches and put together a 12-0 run to move ahead. Catawba went to the break leading 36-32.

Anderson led briefly in the second half, but Catawba seized control and led 73-61 with 4:19 remaining. From that point, Anderson outscored Catawba 11-1 to get within 74-72.

Taylor made one of two free throws — the one he made rolled around for a while — with 10 seconds left for a 75-72 Catawba lead.

Catawba defended well on Anderson’s last possession, and Anderson was whistled for a foul during a scramble for a loose ball.

Then McLaughlin missed a one-and-one free throw, but Anderson only had time for a desperation heave from the backcourt, and the Indians held on.

The  game included 12 lead changes and four ties.

Malik Constantine had 11 boards for the Indians. Devin Cooper gave Taylor the scoring help he needed with 18 points.

ANDERSON (72) — Shaw 16, Ellis 14, Bouton 18, Benard 10, Boynton 9, Simpson 3, Livingston 2, Hester.

CATAWBA (75) — Curry 3, McElveen 3, McLaughlin, Barber 5, Taylor 30, Cooper 18, Haskett 4, Zemonek, Whitfield 3, Lilly, Constantine 9.

Anderson       32    40 — 72

Catawba         36    39 — 75

•••

Wednesday, March 6, SAC tournament, first round 

(8) Carson-Newman at (1) Queens, 7 p.m.

(5) Lenoir-Rhyne at (4) Tusculum, 7 p.m.

(7) Anderson at (2) Catawba, 7 p.m.

(6) Wingate at (3) Lincoln Memorial, 7 p.m.

Next Saturday’s semifinals and next Sunday’s championship game will be played at Timmons Arena in Greenville, S.C.