BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs opened the game with a 32-2 run en route to a 79-59 win over the Tornados of Brevard College in South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball action Saturday afternoon in Cuddy Arena. The Bulldogs improve to 10-6 overall and 5-3 in the SAC. Brevard falls to 5-13 on the season and 1-7 in the SAC.

Junior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) had 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Wingate attack. Sophomore forward Tish Logan (Suitland, Md.) added 13 points and 12 rebounds for the Bulldogs, while junior guard/forward Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) contributed 12 points.

Brevard junior guard Anna Schlobohm (Greensboro, N.C.) had 18 points to top the Tornado charts. Junior guard/forward Lindsay Brendle (High Point, N.C.) had 14 points and a team-best five rebounds. Brevard senior guard Amber Roberts (Asheville, N.C.) contributed 11 points off the bench.

Seven different players hit the scoring column during the 32-2 opening flurry. Logan had seven points, while junior guard Tiffany Brown (Cartersville, Ga.) nailed two huge three-point field goals. Rutledge and Washington had five points each in the run.

Wingate shot 48.1 percent in the first half (13-of-27), while Brevard converted only 18.5 percent (five-of-27) in the opening frame. The Bulldogs led 42-16 at intermission.

A traditional three-point play by sophomore guard Micheala Watkins (Forest City, N.C.) cut the Brevard deficit to 57-39 with 10:35 remaining in the contest. The Tornados would get no closer down the stretch, despite the fact they hit 50 percent (15-of-30) of their second stanza field goals.

The Bulldogs kept the Tornados out of the paint, outscoring the visitors 24-10 in the lane. Wingate converted 24 second-chance points, compared to only eight for Brevard. The hosts dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 54-22. Each of Wingate’s 11 players recorded at least one rebound. Rutledge (13) and Logan (12) outrebounded Brevard (22) by themselves.

Wingate hits the road Wednesday, visiting SAC newcomer Anderson (S.C.) University for a 6 p.m. contest. Brevard returns home to face Newberry College Wednesday night at the same time.

(Wingate University assistant sports information director Hugh Patton wrote this article. Patton is a 2006 Wingate graduate with a B.A. degree in Communication Studies.)