Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s basketball team returns home Saturday, hosting South Atlantic Conference rival Tusculum College for a 2 p.m. encounter. The contest will conclude a four-games-in-eight-days stretch for the Bulldogs (10-7 overall, 3-3 SAC).
 
            On Wednesday night, Wingate junior guard CC Brooks (Mount Holly, N.C.) hit the game-winning three-point field goal with 37 seconds remaining to lead the Bulldogs to a 68-65 SAC victory at Mars Hill College.
 
            Brooks hit two huge three-point field goals in the second half. She led the visitors with 17 points. Brooks hit seven-of-nine field goals and added six assists, four rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot to her ledger Wednesday. Sophomore guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) had 16 points, while junior forward Stefani Shuey (Charlotte, N.C.) contributed 11 points. The Wingate bench outscored the Mars Hill reserves 47-12.
 
            Washington leads the ‘Dogs with her 16.7 points per game. Tusculum junior point guard Jasmine Gunn (Nashville, Tenn.) leads the Pioneers with 17.5 points per game. Gunn and Washington are fourth and fifth, respectively, on the SAC scoring charts.
 
Wingate senior post players Stacie Rhodes (Knightdale, N.C.) and Erica Crumlin (Irmo, S.C.) have combined for 63 blocked shots this season. Their two-person total is more than six of the other eight teams in the SAC. Only Carson-Newman (94) and Tusculum (66) have more blocked shots this season than Wingate’s dynamic duo.
Tusculum swept the season series last year. On Jan. 24, 2009, the Pioneers picked up a 98-79 home victory in Pioneer Arena. The Pioneers forced 23 turnovers by the Bulldogs, converting those Wingate miscues into 31 points.

            On Feb. 11, 2009, Tusculum earned an 85-66 road victory over the Wingate Bulldogs in Cuddy Arena. Senior forward Kat Spears (Memphis, Tenn.) had a monster game for the visitors, posting a double-double with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Junior forward Jessy Keitt (Charlotte, N.C.) led the Wingate attack with 12 points.
 
Wingate head coach Barbara Nelson is in her third season at the Bulldog helm. Nelson is 54-25 during her Wingate tenure. Her three teams are 25-6 overall at home, including a 12-0 ledger in 2007-08. The Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight in 2007-08. Tusculum head coach Adell Harris is in her first season as head coach. The Pioneers are 9-7 overall and 2-4 in the SAC entering Saturday’s contest.
 
WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
            Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private four-year co-educational institution of 2,159 students offering active learning opportunities through personalized instruction, world travel, career discovery and community service.
 
            Wingate offers more than 40 undergraduate majors in arts and sciences, business, communication, education, fine arts, music and sport sciences. It also offers graduate degrees in business, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration. In addition, the school awards the doctor of pharmacy and the doctor of education degrees.
 
            Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past three years.
 
            Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 34 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 43 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.