Staff report

HARTSVILLE, S.C. — Kris Robinson made the key shot for Catawba’s men’s basketball team on Wednesday, a 3-pointer that bumped a three-point lead to six with 32 seconds left.

Catawba used free throws to put away the Cobras in front of 257 fans at the DeLoach Center. The 93-86 road victory was one of the best of the season for the Indians. Coker (11-4, 7-4) has cooled off some after a sensational start to the season, but it’s still a high-powered, high-pressure squad built around forcing turnovers and making 3-pointers.

Catawba (10-6, 7-5) handled the pressure reasonably well, making 15 turnovers. The Indians out-shot the Cobras with a 54-percent effort, won on the boards, got to the foul line more frequently and defended the 3-point line with some energy. Coker made nine from long range, but that was on 31 attempts. Catawba could live with that percentage.

Ibra Athie had a sensational game for the Indians with 23 points and 14 rebounds. Nick Walker and Solomon Tucker scored 18 each. Robinson scored 13.

Catawba often relies heavily on bench scoring, but the starters had 81 points in this one.

A quiet hero was freshman guard Chase Daniel, who made zero turnovers in 22 minutes while contributing six points, three assists and two steals.

Catawba     46   47   — 93

Coker           46  40   — 86

CATAWBA scoring — Athie 23, Walker 18, Tucker 18, Robinson 13, White 9, Chase Daniel 6, Tinsley 4, Hilliard 2.