Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University senior guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) had a game-high 24 points as the Bulldogs earned a 73-53 NCAA Division II women’s basketball victory over Belmont Abbey College Saturday night in Cuddy Arena. The Bulldogs converted 29 Crusader turnovers into 38 points for their third consecutive triumph.
 
The OrthoCarolina Classic victory bumps Wingate’s record to 5-2 overall. The Bulldogs will break for Christmas and return to action Thursday, Dec. 29 versus Lander University in the Heritage Bank Classic at Clayton State (Ga.) University. The BAC Crusaders are 3-6 overall. They host Livingstone College Friday, Dec. 30.
 
An All-South Atlantic Conference performer, Washington hit eight-of-11 field goals and four-of-six three-point field goals Saturday en route to her season-high point total. For good measure, she added three rebounds and three steals to her statistics ledger. Belmont Abbey sophomore guard Kelsey Long (Pilot Mountain, N.C.) had 12 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals for the visiting Crusaders. Freshman guard McKenzie Edwards (Wilmington, N.C.) contributed 10 points and six boards.
 
Wingate led 31-29 at halftime, thanks to 11 first-half points by Washington. The Bulldogs never trailed Saturday. The score was tied twice in the first half. Belmont Abbey senior forward Paula Regalado (Roanoke, Texas) hit a jumper to tie the contest 29-29 with exactly 60 seconds to play in the first half. Fittingly, Washington nailed an inside jumper with 15 seconds to go to account for the halftime margin.
 
The Bulldogs started the second half with a 17-4 run, capped by two Washington free throws at the 13:32 plateau. The McDowell High product had five points in the run, while sophomore guard Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) contributed four markers. Five different Wingate players scored in the flurry.
 
The Washington charity tosses gave the hosts a 48-33 advantage. The Crusaders did not fold the tents, responding with a 14-0 flurry to cut the margin to 48-47 on a Long lay-up at the 8:37 mark. Long had seven points in the explosion with two two-pointers and a triple.
 
Wingate made a turnover on the next possession, but Belmont Abbey missed a three-point field goal attempt and a put-back try on the ensuing trip down the court. The Bulldogs scored nine unanswered points, concluded with a free throw by sophomore forward Chantal Dunbar (Norfolk, Va.). Washington had a two and a three during the move as Wingate took a 57-47 lead with 5:48 to go.
 
Belmont Abbey would score only two more baskets the rest of the way as the Bulldogs pulled away. Washington hit her last triple at 4:22 to give Wingate a 62-48 lead. A basket by freshman forward Sarah Burnick (Matthews, N.C.) with 38 seconds to go gave Wingate its 20-point bulge and concluded the night’s scoring.