Box Score

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore guard/forward Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) posted 24 points off the bench to lead the Bulldogs to a 73-70 South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena. The Wingate reserves outscored the LRU substitutes 41-16.

With the victory, Wingate improves to 11-8 overall and 4-4 in the SAC. Lenoir-Rhyne remains in a first-place tie after the loss. The Bears are 13-5 overall and 6-2 in the SAC.

Bulldog senior Stacie Rhodes (Knightdale, N.C.) scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half. The ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America® candidate posted team-highs in rebounds (eight) and blocked shots (four) Wednesday. Junior forward CC Brooks (Mount Holly, N.C.) added nine points and four assists for the Bulldogs, going seven-of-eight from the free throw line.

For Lenoir-Rhyne, senior guard Jami Safrit (Hickory, N.C.) led the Bears with 16 points. She hit four three-point field goals Wednesday. Senior forward/guard Amber Holt (Charlotte, N.C.) contributed 13 points, five rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. LRU sophomore guard Cameron Sealey (Gastonia, N.C.) added 12 points.

The Bears came out hot, grabbing a 17-4 lead eight minutes into the first half. Sealey had six points in the opening spurt. The Bulldogs would out-score Lenoir-Rhyne 24-9 over the final 11 minutes of the half to take their first lead of the game. Washington had 10 points in the stretch, including a jumper 13 seconds before intermission to put Wingate on top.

Lenoir-Rhyne came out hot again in the second half, taking a 36-28 lead less than three minutes into the second half. Wingate responded by scoring the next seven points, cutting the lead to one on a layup from Brooks at the 15:30 mark. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the half at the 12:05 mark on a pair of free throws from senior center Erica Crumlin (Irmo, S.C.).

The Bears had the answer, going on a 16-6 run over the next five minutes to take a nine-point lead. Safrit hit a pair of threes in the spurt, scoring eight of the 16 points during the run. Wingate would respond with an 8-0 run to trim the lead back to one at the 4:12 mark. Rhodes got it started with a three-point play, while Washington capped it with a three-point play of her own to cut the LRU lead to 62-61.

Lenoir-Rhyne took a 64-61 lead on a pair of free throws from senior guard Brittany Mitch (McLean, Va.) at the 3:40 mark. Wingate answered with a Rhodes jumper to cut it to one. Sophomore guard Gladney Brown (High Point, N.C.) drained a pair of free throws with 2:41 remaining to put Wingate on top for good. Jumpers from Rhodes and freshman guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) gave the Bulldogs a 69-94 lead with 59 seconds to go. Wingate knocked down four free throws down the stretch to preserve the victory.

The Bulldogs shot 37.9 percent from the field in the game, while shooting 50 percent in the second half. Wingate connected on 28-of-32 free throws on the night (87.5 percent). The Bears shot 36.7 percent from the field, while hitting 21-of-24 free throws (87.5 percent). Lenoir-Rhyne held a 43-34 rebounding advantage, while Wingate held a 12-11 edge in second chance points. The Bulldogs converted 17 Lenoir-Rhyne turnovers into 21 points.

The Bulldogs return to action Saturday, traveling to Lincoln Memorial University for a 6 p.m. start. Wingate returns home Wednesday, February 3, hosting Catawba at 6 p.m. The Bears travel to Tusculum College on Saturday, taking on Tusculum College at 2 p.m.