BOX SCORE

(WINGATE, N.C.) Defense and bench scoring were keys in Catawba College's 87-70 victory over Bowie State University in the 2008 OrthoCarolina Classic hosted by Wingate University. Catawba, ranked 23rd in the NABC/NCAA Division II Poll, improves their record to 5-0 on the season.

Catawba and Bowie State were tied at 18 at the 12:53 mark of the first half but the Indians went on a 25-8 run to open its largest lead. However, Bowie State (4-2) managed to battle back and pulled to within nine (51-42) at the break. Antonio Houston produced most of the Catawba Indians offense in the first 20 minutes, scoring 16 points which included three-of-six behind the arc. Catawba blocked five first half shots with Cliff Burns (16 points) leading the way with three.

History repeated itself in the second half as Catawba's Indians began the final period with a 14-4 run to extend their lead to 65-46 16:27 left in the game. Bowie State would get no closer than 11 points in the second half (79-68). BSU's Bulldogs turned the ball over 10 times in the second half which translated into 13 Catawba points off those turnovers.

Rob Fields came off the Catawba bench to pace the Indians with a game-high of 20 points and Houston ended the afternoon with 19 points and a team-high six rebounds. Catawba's bench outscored Bowie State bench 40-12.

Bowie State was led by Armond Hill (Silver Spring, MD, Springbrook, Montgomery - Rockville C.C.) with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Curtis Massey (Upper Marlboro, MD, Largo, Dodge City CC), Andrew Engel (Glen Burnie, MD, Old Mill, Colby C.C.) and Corey Camphor (Upper Marlboro, MD, DeMatha) scored 12 points each in the setback. Massey also pulled down 10 rebounds for the third time in his career.

The Bowie State Bulldogs will face the host Wingate University Bulldogs at 4 p.m. tomorrow (11/30) to close out the men's portion of the OrthoCarolina Classic.