Men's Basketball Opens the Season With 87-70 Win Over Johnson C. Smith

PEMBROKE, N.C. – Catawba opened its men's basketball campaign with an 87-70 win over Johnson C. Smith in a Conference Challenge Tournament contest at the Lumbee Guaranty Bank Court. Peyton Gerald and newcomer Adrian Scarborough each posted double-doubles in lifting the Catawba Indians. Catawba faces host #17 UNC Pembroke on Sunday at 7 p.m.

Scarborough topped the Catawba scorers with 18 points on 8-of-10 shooting while adding 11 rebounds. Gerald collected 10 points and 10 boards. Kris Robinson hit a trio of three-pointers in tallying 16 points with DeAngelo Epps adding 13.

Catawba scored the first nine points and never trailed. The early surge saw the Indians go up 24-6 midway through the opening half. Catawba kept its double-digit lead and held a 43-30 edge at the break. The Indians shot 56% in the first stanza and helped cause 10 turnovers to just six miscues.

JC Smith got as close as a dozen in the second half, but Catawba never let the Bulls back in the game. The Indians would lead by 26 at one point at 74-48.

The Indians finished shooting at 51.5% and out-rebounded JCSU 38-35. Catawba also won the turnover battle as the Bulls had 15 to 10 for the Indians. JC Smith shot 43% and were led by Ezekiel Cannedy's 17 points. Christopher Ealy chipped in with 11.