BOX SCORE

Hickory, N.C.----Wingate University junior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs to a convincing 66-45 South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday night in Shuford Gymnasium. Rutledge scored 16 of her team-high 18 points in the second half.

With the victory, Wingate gains sole possession of second place in the league standings. The Bulldogs (14-7 overall, 9-4 SAC) sweep the season series over the Bears and earn their sixth victory in seven tries. Lenoir-Rhyne falls to 11-10 overall and 8-5 in the SAC.

Wingate junior guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) and freshman guard Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) had 13 points each. Both players rebounded well, as Washington grabbed eight caroms and Williams corralled five rebounds. L-R junior guard Cameron Sealey (Mount Holly, N.C.) led the hosts with 16 points.

Rutledge had 16 points and six rebounds after the halftime break, helping the Bulldogs build on a 26-24 lead. Wingate opened the second stanza with a 16-5 run to take a 42-29 advantage on a three-pointer by sophomore guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) at the 15:08 mark. The home-standing Bears would get no closer than 11 points the rest of the way.

Lenoir-Rhyne shot a frigid 21.2 percent (seven-of-33) in the second half. Wingate hit 42.9 percent (12-of-28) of its second-half field goals. The Bears converted only four field goals in the final 10 minutes. The final margin was the Bulldogs’ largest lead of the night.

In the first half, Wingate took the lead at 4-2 and never trailed again. The Bulldogs sprinted to a 14-4 lead, thanks to a lay-up by senior guard CC Brooks (Mount Holly, N.C.) at the 13:50 mark. Washington had eight points during the early flurry.

The L-R Bears put together a 16-6 run to tie the contest 20-20 on a three-pointer by Sealey with 6:37 to play. The Bulldogs led 26-24 at intermission, thanks to eight points each by Washington and Williams. Sealey led Lenoir-Rhyne with seven first-half markers.

Wingate outrebounded Lenoir-Rhyne 55-35 Wednesday. The Bulldogs pulled down 21 offensive rebounds and converted them into 24 second-chance points. The Bears had 15 offensive boards, but could manage only eight second-chance points. L-R sophomore forward Precious Elkins (Conyers, Ga.) led all rebounders with 11 boards.

Williams and the Wingate reserves outscored the L-R bench 27-14. Williams hit four-of-six field goals and grabbed a team-high three steals. The Bulldogs hit 33.9 percent from the field (21-of-62), while the Bears hit 26.7 percent of their shot attempts (16-of-60). Lenoir-Rhyne launched 18 three-point attempts, making three (16.7 percent).

Wingate stays on the road, visiting league-leader Tusculum College Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Carson-Newman College Saturday. Tip-off is slated for 6 p.m.