Staff report

SALISBURY — Catawba’s men’s basketball team had the opportunity for a statement game.

Instead, Lincoln Memorial shot 54 percent from the field and proved that reports of its demise were greatly exaggerated. Lincoln Memorial had looked beatable so far this season, but was inhuman in the second half on Saturday and blasted Catawba 95-67.

The South Atlantic Conference loss dropped the Indians (7-3, 5-2) into a tie for second place with LMU (11-5, 5-2) and Carson-Newman. Wingate, still unbeaten in the league, now has a two-game lead.

The difference on Saturday at Goodman Arena was mostly the 3-point line. Catawba was awful (3-for-23) from long distance. Lincoln Memorial was fantastic (15-for-24). When you’re outscored 45-9 from the 3-point line, it can be a long day.

Catawba also got smashed on the boards, 51-26. When LMU shot the ball in the second half, there were no rebounds to get.

But it didn’t start out badly at all for the Indians. Catawba led 35-31 at halftime.

Catawba was up by eight points two minutes into the second half, and the Indians were still level at 55-all with 12 minutes left.

But LMU finished with a 40-12 surge that swamped the Indians.

Catawba only committed seven turnovers, which normally means a win, but the Indians shot only 38 percent.

Wes Enis was an insane 8-for-9 on 3-pointers and scored 28 for the Railsplitters, while Chase Rankin had 21.

DeAngelo Epps scored 14 for Catawba. Javeon Jones and Kaleb Wallace scored 11 each.

LMU         31      64     — 95

Catawba   35     30      — 67

CATAWBA — Epps 14, Wallace 11, Jones 11, Banks 6, Mitchell 5, Tinsley 5, Thomas 5, Robinson 4, Gerald 4, Nelson 2.