BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Newberry College shooting guard Helen McKinney (Owensboro, Ky.) hit a career-high six three-point field goals and posted a game-high 28 points to lead the Wolves to a 66-50 South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball victory over Wingate University Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena.

With the win, Newberry improves to 14-9 overall and 9-6 in the SAC. Wingate sports an identical 14-9 overall record and 9-6 SAC ledger. The two teams are tied for third place in the league standings.

Wolves senior forward Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) had 14 points and 10 rebounds off the Newberry bench. Classmate Briana Johnson (Irmo, S.C.) grabbed 13 boards as Newberry outrebounded Wingate 48-28. Senior point guard Jessica Bearzatto (Melbourne, Australia) dished out nine assists for the visitors.

For Wingate, junior guard/forward Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) had 13 points, while junior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) contributed 12 points and six rebounds. Rutledge made six-of-10 field goals (60 percent). The rest of the Bulldogs hit 13-of-49 field goals (26.5 percent).

The Wolves held the Bulldogs scoreless for the final 6:27 of the first half. Rutledge hit an inside hoop at the 6:27 mark, cutting Wingate’s deficit to 25-24. Newberry finished the first frame with an 11-0 run, capped by a Bearzatto jumper with eight seconds to play. As a result, the Wolves led 36-24 at intermission.

Newberry’s defense allowed only two Wingate field goals in the first eight minutes of the second half. The Wolves quickly stretched their advantage to 48-30 on two free throws by junior guard Keisha Henderson (Columbia, S.C.) at the 13:25 mark. The Bulldogs would get no closer than 12 points down the stretch.

Wingate managed only 32.2 percent shooting from the field (19-of-59). Newberry connected on 42.1 percent of its field goal attempts (24-of-57). The Wolves hit six-of-nine from downtown (66.7 percent), including McKinney’s six-of-eight performance. The All-SAC performer hit 10-of-17 from the field Wednesday.

Newberry returns home Saturday, hosting Carson-Newman College for a 2 p.m. contest. Wingate hosts Mars Hill College Saturday at the same time. The Bulldogs will celebrate WBCA Pink Zone™ Day Saturday.



(Special thanks to Newberry College assistant SID Brandon Scardigli for his help with this story.)