Box Score
Wingate, N.C.----Newberry College senior forward Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) had 18 points and 22 rebounds as Newberry defeated Wingate University 75-57 in the SAC opener for both teams Friday night in Cuddy Arena. The scarlet-and-gray improve to 6-1 overall and 1-0 in the conference. The Bulldogs fall to 4-3 on the year and 0-1 in the SAC.
Junior guard Helen McKinney (Owensboro, Ky.) led Newberry with 22 points, knocking down four three-pointers on the evening. Junior forward LeAnne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) and freshman guard Amy Browne (Maroochydore, Australia) added 10 points each for Newberry.
Freshman guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) led the Bulldogs with 12 points and four assists. Freshman guard Britney Mitchell (Indian Trail, N.C.) and sophomore guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) added 11 points each while Washington pulled down a team-high eight rebounds.
Newberry got off to a quick start, taking a 9-0 lead five minutes into the game. Wingate trimmed the lead to five on a jumper from junior forward Jessy Keitt (Charlotte, N.C.) at the 12:23 mark. Newberry used a 9-0 run to take a 31-12 lead on a jumper from Browne at the 4:36 mark.
The Bulldogs answered with a 6-0 run to trim the lead to 13 on a Washington jumper with 2:40 remaining in the half. Newberry got a pair of free throws from Watson 10 seconds before intermission to take a 35-20 lead into the locker room.
Newberry added to its lead in the second half, taking a 51-26 lead on a three pointer from junior guard Jessica Bearzatto (Melbourne, Australia) at the 14:12 mark. A 7-0 run from the scarlet-and-gray made it 64-32 with 10 minutes remaining. McKinney had six points in the spurt.
The Bulldogs used an 11-0 run to cut the lead to 71-52 with 3:10 remaining in the game. Wollett had six points and an assist in the spurt. Another Wollett layup at the 1:50 mark cut the lead to 73-56.
Newberry shot 41.7 percent from the field, while knocking down seven-of-20 shots from beyond the arc and 18-of-25 free throws. Wingate shot 32.9 percent from the field, while connecting on one-of-10 three-pointers and 10-of-20 free throws.
Wingate is back in action December 16, hosting Anderson (S.C.) at 6 p.m. Newberry returns to action December 12, traveling to Lander for a 1:30 p.m. start.
