BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs held on for a 51-46 victory over the Trojans of Anderson University in South Atlantic Conference women's basketball action Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena. With the win, Wingate improves to 16-9 overall and 11-6 in the SAC. Anderson falls to 11-14 overall and 7-10 in the conference.

Junior guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) had nine of her team-high 10 points in the second half, knocking down a huge three with 15 seconds remaining to give the 'Dogs a five-point lead. Junior guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) knocked down three trifectas in the first half, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds on the night. CC Brooks (Mount Holly, N.C.) celebrated Senior Night with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

Senior guard Alexa Neal (Greensboro, N.C.) led the Trojans with a game-high 13 points to go along with six rebounds and two assists. Sophomore forward Tilde Ahlin (Sodertalje, Sweden) had nine points, while senior guard Ashley Abed (Oakton, Va.) chipped in with seven points and five assists.

The first half was tightly contested, with no team leading by more than five. Wingate used a 10-4 run to take a 23-19 lead with 1:27 remaining in the opening half. Washington started the flurry with back-to-back threes, while jumpers from Chantal Dunbar (Norfolk, Va.) and Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) capped the spurt. Neal answered with a three to cut the Wingate lead to one at intermission.

Wollett drained threes on the first two possessions for the Bulldogs, making it 31-26 in the opening minute of the second half. A triple from Abed trimmed the lead to two, but Wingate answered with six straight points to take a 40-32 lead at the 13:48 mark. Dunbar started and finished the spurt with buckets.

Threes from Neal and sophomore guard Amanda Parris (Summerville, Ga.) trimmed the Wingate lead to one with 6:54 remaining. Brooks answered with a three-point play to push the lead back to four, while a jumper from junior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) made it 48-42 at the 3:20 mark. A Diaz layup and Ahlin jumper made it a two-point contest with 45 seconds remaining. The ‘Dogs went back to Wollett, who drained a huge three as the shot clock went off, making it 51-46 with 15 seconds to go.

Wingate shot 34.5 percent from the field, while knocking down seven-of-13 from three point range (53.8 percent). The Trojans shot 36.5 percent from the field, hitting on six-of-22 from three-point range (27.3 percent). Anderson held a 36-35 rebounding edge, while Wingate converted 19 Trojan turnovers into 18 points. The Bulldog bench outscored the Anderson bench 21-11, led by Wollett’s 10 points.

The Bulldogs are back in action Saturday, traveling to Brevard for a 2 p.m. start. Wingate enters the final regular season contest in a three-way tie for second place. The Bulldogs will host a first round contest in the Food Lion SAC Tournament on Wednesday, March 2. Anderson travels to Carson-Newman Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.