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Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore guards Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) and Nikki Burton (Charlotte, N.C.) combined for 41 points and senior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) recorded a double-double as the Bulldogs celebrated an early Thanksgiving with a 77-68 NCAA Division II victory over UNC Pembroke Tuesday night in Cuddy Arena.
 
The home opener victory improves Wingate’s record to 2-1 overall. UNC Pembroke falls to 1-2 overall. The Bulldogs begin South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday, Nov. 30, traveling to Lincoln Memorial University for a 6 p.m. contest. The UNCP Braves host Fayetteville State University Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 5:30 p.m.
 
Wingate outscored UNC Pembroke 48-20 in the paint. The Bulldogs converted 19 second-chance points to two for the visiting Braves. Wingate’s bench outscored the UNCP reserves 27-15.
 
Williams had 21 of Wingate’s 27 bench points, nailing a team-high three three-point field goals. She scored 13 points after intermission. The reigning SAC Player of the Week, Burton had 20 points and a game-high six steals. Rutledge had 12 points and 11 rebounds to post her first double-double of the young season.
 
UNC Pembroke mirrored Wingate with two players combining for 41 points. Senior guard DeDe Cotton (Fayetteville, N.C.) led the Braves with 21 points. She hit four-of-seven from beyond the three-point line. UNCP junior forward Courtney Bolton (Knightdale, N.C.) filled up her statistics ledger with 20 points, four rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots.
 
Wingate hit 54.5 percent from the floor (18-of-33) after intermission, erasing a 37-34 halftime deficit. A traditional three-point play by Bolton tied the game 48-48 with 15:20 remaining. The Bulldogs responded with a 15-2 run to take a 63-50 lead on a lay-up by Williams at the 9:44 mark. A steal by junior guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) facilitated the Williams hoop.
 
Another Williams’ fast-break bucket put Wingate up 71-62 with 4:07 remaining. The Braves put on their rally caps with a 6-0 mini-run to cut the deficit to 71-68 on a jumper by junior guard Jasmine Hairston (Danville, Va.) with 88 seconds to play.
 
On the other end, Rutledge missed a jumper. UNC Pembroke saved the rebound to an opportunistic Williams, who converted a short jumper to put Wingate up five with 53 seconds remaining. The Braves would get no closer in the waning moments, as Williams and senior guard Tiffany Brown (Cartersville, Ga.) hit two free throws each to keep UNCP at bay.
 
In the first half, four ties and nine lead changes took place before UNC Pembroke settled for its 37-34 halftime advantage. Bolton, Cotton and Burton scored 10 points each in the first frame. The Braves led by as many as six points, while the Bulldogs led by as many as three points.
 
The two teams combined for 49 turnovers and 31 steals. Wingate converted 28 UNC Pembroke miscues into 29 points, while the Braves turned 21 Bulldog errors into 20 points. Wingate outrebounded UNCP 41-29, thanks to Rutledge (11 rebounds), Williams (six) and freshman forward Brooklyn Boston (Lenoir, N.C., five). Hairston and senior point guard Domonique Washington (Redlands, Calif.) had five rebounds each for the Braves.
           
Wingate shot 44.1 percent from the field (30-of-68), while UNC Pembroke hit 46.9 percent (23-of-49). The Braves hit seven three-pointers in 13 tries (53.8 percent). The Bulldogs managed only four-of-18 shooting from downtown (22.2 percent). Wollett supported Burton’s thievery with four steals, while UNCP junior forward Taylor Gallentine (Prophetstown, Ill.) led the visitors with four steals.