WINGATE, N.C. -- Catawba hit its free throws down the stretch and left Cuddy Arena with a 71-65 victory over host Wingate in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action on Wednesday night. The win pushed Catawba to 12-4 overall and 7-1 in the SAC. The Bulldogs fall to 11-6 and 6-2.

Wingate led for most of the game, but the game was tightly contested with the largest lead of the contest being six points. A three-point play by DeAngelo Epps gave the Indians a 61-59 lead with 2:43 to go and the first since the 13 minutes mark.

Wingate tied the game on a pair of free throws, but O'Mazeon Tinsley's layup with 2:12 left put Catawba on top for good. The Bulldogs cut the lead to 65-63 with 25 seconds remaining. Catawba was solid at the line, making all six over those final 25 seconds.

Epps and Kaleb Wallace paced Catawba with 15 points. Kris Robinson collected a dozen. The Indians were 14-of-17 at the line, including making 10-of-11 in the second half. Jarren Cottingham scored 21 for the Bulldogs and Donell Nixon chipped in with 10.

Catawba struggled in the opening half, shooting just 29% and going 1-of-15 from beyond the arc. The Indians trailed just 28-25 thanks in part to seven offensive boards that led to 11 points and a plus-five margin in turnovers. The Indians canned 55% in the second half to just 36% for Wingate.

Catawba is back in action on Saturday as the Indians host Anderson at 4 p.m.