Catawba Women's Basketball Clinches Critical OT Win Against Anderson

Indians secure key conference victory to stay in playoff contention

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Catawba's women's basketball team earned a crucial 69-66 overtime win against Anderson University on Wednesday night. The victory kept the Indians tied for the eighth and final spot in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament, avoiding a season sweep by the Trojans that would have dealt a serious blow to their postseason hopes.

Why it matters

With only the top eight teams qualifying for the conference tournament, this win was a must-have for Catawba to maintain their position in the standings and keep their playoff dreams alive. The Indians were able to rally late in regulation and then make key plays in overtime to secure the victory.

The details

Catawba was led by strong performances from Mary Spry (21 points, 8 rebounds) and Sheree Gidney (15 points off the bench). The Indians overcame 21 turnovers and poor 3-point shooting to outlast Anderson, who shot just 35% from the field and committed 17 turnovers of their own.

  • The game was played on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Catawba trailed by 8 points with 2 minutes left in regulation before rallying to tie the game at 58-58 and force overtime.

The players

Mary Spry

A key player for Catawba, scoring 21 points and grabbing 8 rebounds in the victory.

Sheree Gidney

Came off the bench to provide a scoring boost for the Indians, shooting 6-for-9 and scoring 15 points.

Catawba Women's Basketball Team

Earned a critical conference win to stay in the hunt for one of the final playoff spots in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament.

Anderson University

Suffered a tough overtime loss to Catawba, dropping them further down in the conference standings.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

Catawba will look to build on this win and continue their push for a playoff berth, with key conference games remaining on their schedule.

The takeaway

Catawba's ability to rally late and make winning plays in overtime showcased the team's resilience and determination to keep their postseason hopes alive. This victory could prove crucial in determining which teams make the South Atlantic Conference Tournament field.