SALISBURY, N.C.
Antonio Houston's 25 points were enough to lift host Catawba to a 78-65 win over Tusculum in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action.
The win improved the Indians to 14-7 overall and 7-3 in the SAC. The Pioneers fell to 12-10 and 6-5 in league play.
Tusculum's Kyle Moore led all scorers with 31 points for his third 31-point effort in his last four outings. Moore was a perfect 10-of-10 at the free throw line, while also connecting on a trio of 3-pointers.
TC's Jimmy Boone hit two 3-pointers in the opening four minutes as Tusculum jumped to a 6-0 lead. Tusculum did not surrender the lead in the opening half and took a 33-31 edge to the break.
Catawba then rallied in the second half to take the win.
Other than Moore, Wes Taylor was the only other Pioneer in double figures with 12 points, while Justin Steigerwald dished out seven assists to add to his SAC-leading total.
Tusculum returns home on Wednesday to host Wingate University for an 8 p.m. contest at Pioneer Arena.
TUSCULUM (12-10, 6-5 SAC): Moore 9-14 10-10 31; Taylor 4-5 4-6 12; Bennett 4-7 1-2 9; Boone 3-7 0-0 8; Troutman 2-4 0-0 5; Klempin 0-1 0-0 0; Steigerwald 0-1 0-0 0; Grey 0-1 0-1 0; Gagel 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 22-40 15-19 65.
CATAWBA (14-7, 7-3 SAC): Houston 6-10 12-13 25; Fields 5-11 5-5 16; Huntley 3-7 2-6 10; Reid 3-5 0-0 9; Martin 1-5 6-6 8; Rutherford 3-8 0-0 6; Williams 2-3 0-0 4; Coles 0-4 0-0 0; Thomson 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 23-54 25-30 78.
Halftime: Tusculum 33, Catawba 31
3-point goals--Tusculum 6-14 (Moore 3-6; Boone 2-4; Troutman 1-2; Steigerwald 0-1; Taylor 0-1), Catawba 7-12 (Reid 3-3; Huntley 2-2; Houston 1-1; Fields 1-2; Thomson 0-1; Rutherford 0-1; Martin 0-2). Rebounds--Tusculum 25 (Bennett 8), Catawba 29 (Martin 6). Assists--Tusculum 15 (Steigerwald 7), Catawba 7 (Fields 3). Total fouls--Tusculum 24, Catawba 15.
