Cleveland Community College showcased their prowess on the basketball court with a commanding 87-57 victory over Catawba Valley Community College at Yetis Arena. This game further solidified Cleveland's impressive season record, now standing at 17-5 overall and 13-4 in conference play, while Catawba Valley fell to 8-12 overall and 5-10 in the conference.
From the outset, the Yetis set the tone with a strong first quarter, outscoring Catawba Valley 24-10. The momentum continued into the second quarter, with Cleveland extending their lead by adding another 22 points to Catawba Valley's 11. Despite a more competitive second half, where Catawba Valley managed to score 16 and 20 points in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, Cleveland maintained their dominance, closing the game with 18 points in the third and 23 in the fourth.
Cleveland's offensive strategy was marked by a high shooting efficiency, achieving a 54.1% field goal percentage, significantly higher than Catawba Valley's 30.6%. The home team also excelled in three-point shooting, converting 48.1% of their attempts compared to Catawba Valley's 21.1%.
Individually, Grace East led Cleveland's scoring with an impressive 23 points, including seven three-pointers. Kari Lee contributed significantly with 16 points and a remarkable eight assists. Sydnie Enste was a force on the boards, securing 15 rebounds and adding 14 points to her tally. Meanwhile, Xiomara Estela and Jasmine Twitty added 15 and 11 points respectively, showcasing Cleveland's balanced attack.
For Catawba Valley, Jada Whitesides stood out with 20 points, including three successful three-point attempts. Danasja Horne and Erianna Scott added 10 and 8 points respectively, but the team struggled to find rhythm against Cleveland's stout defense.
Cleveland's defensive efforts were underscored by their ability to force 16 turnovers, while committing only 11 themselves. This defensive pressure, combined with their offensive efficiency, proved too much for Catawba Valley to handle.
Overall, Cleveland Community College's comprehensive performance highlighted their potential as a formidable contender in the conference, while Catawba Valley will need to regroup and adjust as they look to improve their standing in upcoming games.
