The Newberry College women's basketball team in action during their game against Catawba.
The Newberry College women’s basketball team experienced a challenging defeat against the Catawba Indians, ending with a score of 71-57. Despite a strong effort and standout performance by Jess Tomkins, who scored 25 points, the team struggled with turnovers and shooting accuracy. This loss brings their overall record to 5-8 and sets up a crucial next game against Presbyterian College.
In the buzzing city of Newberry, excitement filled the air as the Newberry College women’s basketball team stepped onto their home court at Eleazer Arena on December 18th. The Wolves entered the game with their sights set on extending a two-game win streak, but hopes were dashed as they fell to the Catawba Indians, with a final score of 71-57.
As the game kicked off, it was a classic back-and-forth battle, typical of college basketball. The first quarter kept fans on the edge of their seats, with both teams exchanging baskets. Ultimately, Catawba came out on top, leading 18-13 at the end of the first ten minutes. It felt like a game that could have gone either way!
However, things took a bit of a turn in the second quarter. The Wolves found themselves trailing by as many as ten points, though they fought valiantly to keep the game within reach. Going into halftime, the score stood at 37-30, with Newberry still very much in contention.
The second half proved to be a turning point that Newberry couldn’t quite overcome. Catawba emerged from the locker room with a fierce determination and intensified their defensive efforts. This shift resulted in several critical turnovers for the Wolves, which the Indians capitalized on for easy fastbreak points. Before long, Catawba pushed their lead to a daunting 16 points, putting Newberry’s win streak in jeopardy.
Alas, despite their efforts, Newberry’s rally ultimately fell short. The team started to run out of gas, coupled with some missed critical three-point shots that could have shifted momentum back in their favor. By the final buzzer, a weary Newberry team faced a disappointing end, marking their record at 5-8 overall and 4-5 in the South Atlantic Conference (SAC).
It’s worth noting that Jess Tomkins was truly a highlight for Newberry, finishing the night with an impressive 25 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. On the other hand, the team as a whole struggled with turnovers, committing a staggering 22 turnovers throughout the game. Their struggle extended to shooting, where they managed only 3-of-12 from beyond the arc while faring better at the free-throw line with 18-of-29.
Meanwhile, Catawba improved their record to 8-5 overall and didn’t shy away from their own star players, as three of their athletes managed to reach double figures, supporting a strong shooting performance of 8-of-20 from three-point range.
Although it was a tough setback for Newberry, their head coach recognized the effort put forth by the team, especially in their attempt to fight back. Yet, she emphasized there’s still room for improvement, particularly when it comes to handling pressure from opposing teams.
With nearly two weeks off before their next game, the Wolves will be looking to regroup as they prepare to face off against Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. Fans are hopeful that with a bit more practice and determination, the Wolves can bounce back from this loss and continue their pursuit of success in the conference!
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