Salisbury, N.C. – The Brevard College men’s basketball team battled the Catawba Indians down to the closing seconds on Wednesday night, as the Tornados fell on the road at Catawba, 81-71.

 

The first half of play was a back-and-forth contest as the two teams traded baskets for much of the opening 20 minutes of play as both teams were hot from the floor. Brevard knocked down 12-of-27 for 44.4 percent from the floor, while the Indians shot just a little better connecting on 13-of-27 for 48.1 percent.

 

With the offenses clicking for both teams, the first 20 minutes of play saw nine lead changes and three ties, with the Tornados last holding a slight 28-26 lead at the 3:31 mark. However, the Indians connected on a number of free throw attempts late in the half to take the 35-31 lead into intermission.

 

In the second half, the paced picked up more to the liking of the fast-paced style of the Catawba Indians. The Indians were able to build up a 10 point lead in the first seven minutes of play, taking a 52-42 lead at the 13:09 mark.

 

The Tornados cut the lead to nine points on a number of occasions in the final 13 minutes of play, including twice in the final minute of play, but were unable to put together a run in what was a very physical second half of play.

 

The Indians would hit free throws down the stretch to help seal the 81-71 win.

 

For the contest, both teams shot 47 percent from the floor and combined for 47 fouls in the 40 minutes of play.

 

Sophomore forward Jonathan Whitson was the high-scorer for the game, pouring in 28 points in 36 minutes of play. Fellow sophomore Shane Galloway added 12 points off the bench for the Tornados, while point guard Cody Siniard added 10 points.

 

The Indians were led by Antonio Houston’s 17 point performance, while senior Isaac Rose had 13 points off the bench.

 

The loss drops BC to 2-12, while Catawba moves to 9-6 with the win.

 

The Tornados will not have long to rest, as they hit the road again tomorrow night as they travel to Due West, S.C. for a re-match with the Flying Fleet of Erskine College. Brevard lost a tough home contest to Erskine back on December 8 and will seek redemption tomorrow night. The game is slated for a 7:30 p.m. tip-off.

 

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