Location: Joe & Barbara Schwartz Center - Wilmington, NC

Updated Record: 6-2

Score: CFCC 66, Catawba 64

Highlights:

After missing the opportunity to play a scheduled game on Friday Night due to postponement, the Sea Devils were eager to take the court on Saturday afternoon as a part of their Holiday Celebration game - featuring kids arts & crafts as well as picture opportunities with "Santa and Mrs. Claus". The Red Hawks returned that same energy and made it difficult for the Sea Devils to penetrate their unique defensive formation.

Before either team could solidify momentum in their favor, Freshman guard Kayleigh Shreffler collided with the front padding underneath the basket, along with a few of Catawba's rebounders, and was unfortunately taken out of the game due to injury to the nose. While Kayleigh kept positive spirits as our athletic training staff assessed her, cleaning the court for contaminants caused a large stoppage to the game and both teams resumed play only after a referee-granted 3-minute warm-up period. After further assessment from our athletic training staff, Kayleigh returned to the bench to support her teammates for the rest of the game.

Once the game resumed, the Sea Devils went on a 6-0 run - thanks to a solid defensive performance, a killer reverse layup by Rashauna Grant (Soph.), and a clutch 3-pointer by Akyia King (Soph.). In the second quarter, both Catawba and CFCC experienced a lack of scoring due to defensive battles and well-fought steals on both sides of the court. NiAmoni Bagley (Soph.) broke the Sea Devils' cold streak with a quick layup to tie the game before halftime.

"Akyia King and Jada Nowlin carried the team with scoring for the rest of the quarter," remarked Head Coach Trae Bryant. "We [went] into halftime with a 29-23 lead."

Moving into the second half, the Sea Devils found their rhythm in transition and were able to secure the ball on defense for easy fast-break layup opportunities. Mia Brown (Soph.) kept the tempo high on offense and worked hard to draw out defenders and hit important jumpers. However, Catawba did their part to stay in the game and fight for every offensive opportunity they were given.

Catawba did not let off the gas as the Sea Devils lost their lead towards the middle of the fourth and final quarter of the game. There were a few moments of back-and-forth for the lead with the Red Hawks going on an 8-0 run before the Sea Devils tightened things up on the offensive end and had their own 8-0 streak. In the final moments of the game, after Catawba took the lead 62-63, Freshman Imani Sutton drains a beautiful, game-altering 3-pointer to put the Sea Devils ahead with only 16 seconds left in the matchup. The Sea Devils finished the game strong and was an overall team effort to win against a tough conference opponent.

"This was our best team game all season," says Coach Bryant. "We earned this win today. Catawba Valley is a really tough team and we came together as one and did what we needed to do to come out victorious. Great way to start Christmas Break!"

Up Next: Following Winter Break, the Sea Devils will return to the Schwartz Center on Wednesday, January 5th at 6:00 PM as they take on conference opponent Guilford Technical Community College.