SALISBURY, N.C. --- The seventh-seeded Tusculum College women's basketball team used a strong second half as the Pioneers knocked off No. 2 Catawba College 81-61 Wednesday night in quarterfinal round action of the 2007 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Tournament at Goodman Gym.

The Pioneers (16-12) advance to Saturday's semifinal against No. 3 seed Newberry College at the Catawba Valley Community College Arena in Hickory, N.C. It will be a rematch of last year's SAC Tournament final.

Ashli Oliver poured in 25 points on her seven 3-pointers, while Chassity Martin accounted for 21 points. Senior guard Brooke Underwood came up a rebound shy of her first career triple-double. Underwood finished with 13 points, 11 assists and a career-best nine rebounds, including four on the offensive glass.

The Catawba Indians (20-9) were led by NeKeithia Howard's 21 points and eight rebounds, while Hillary Hampton tallied seven points in the loss.

Tusculum rookie Lindsay Barta tied a school single-game record with six blocked shots, including five rejections in the opening half. Barta also posted eight points and nine rebounds, while Carlie Lakey added six markers and nine boards.

The Lady Indians jumped out to a seven-point lead early at 15-8 following a jumper by Ingrid Easter at the 14:38 mark. Tusculum responded with a 21-5 spurt, including 11 straight points as the Pioneers led 29-20 halfway through the opening period.

Oliver gave TC its biggest lead of the first half with her fifth 3-pointer in the period as the Pioneers went up 37-26 before settling for a 39-31 at intermission.

In the second period, Tusculum went on a 23-7 spurt, capped off by Martin's three-pointer with 8:56 remaining to put the game away.

Tusculum shot 48 percent from the floor, including 52 percent in the first half, while Catawba shot 38 percent, including 32 percent in the final period. The Pioneers out-rebounded Catawba 40-39 as TC tallied 17 fast-break points.