Wingate, N.C.----The number two seed Wingate University women’s basketball team (17-9 overall, 12-6 SAC) will host number seven seed Catawba College (15-13 overall, 9-9 SAC) in a Food Lion SAC tournament first round contest on Wednesday, March 2 at 6 p.m. The Bulldogs have won six Food Lion SAC tournament titles.

Wingate and Catawba split the regular season series. Catawba earned a hard-fought 58-56 victory Jan. 5 in Salisbury. On Feb. 2, senior guard CC Brooks (Mount Holly, N.C.) hit two free throws with 1.3 seconds remaining to lift host Wingate to a thrilling 60-58 triumph over Catawba in Cuddy Arena.

In the January contest, freshman guard Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) led the Bulldogs with 13 points. The leading first-year scorer in the SAC hit three-of-five shots from three-point range. Catawba senior guard Milica Ivanovic (Belgrade, Serbia) scored all of her game-high 14 points in the second half to lead the Indians.

In the February encounter, junior guard Tiffany Brown (Cartersville, Ga.) had 17 points to lead the Bulldogs. Classmate Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) had 15 points, converting eight-of-eight from the foul line. Wingate junior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) had 14 points on six-of-eight accuracy from the field, while Brooks contributed 12 points and four assists in a reserve role. Catawba sophomore center Elizabeth Merritt (Lexington, N.C.) had 15 points, while junior forward Dana Hicks (York, S.C.) posted 14 points and nine boards.

Last week, Wingate enjoyed a 2-0 week as the Bulldogs claimed second place in the SAC regular season standings. On Saturday, Williams hit the game-winning hoop with 17 seconds left to give the visiting Bulldogs a 72-69 SAC road victory over Brevard College.

Williams tied her career-high with 24 points. The Statesville High School product recorded her first Bulldog double-double with a career-best 10 rebounds. Rutledge had 11 points, seven rebounds, four assists and one blocked shot for the visitors. Sophomore guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) contributed 10 points, four rebounds and four assists.

Williams scored 15 of her 24 points after intermission. She hit eight-of-12 field goals Saturday, including seven-of-10 in the pivotal second half. Thanks to the efforts of Williams and her teammates, the Bulldog bench outscored the Tornado reserves 32-19.

The second half was a battle, featuring eight ties and nine lead changes. Neither team led by more than six points the entire afternoon. Williams was fouled on the game-winning play, but she missed the free throw. Brevard missed two shots in the waning moments. The Tornados fouled Bulldog sophomore forward Tish Logan (Suitland, Md.) with six/tenths of a second on the clock. Logan made the first of two free throws to finish the day’s scoring.

Wingate had 19 offensive rebounds, resulting in 21 second-chance points. Rutledge’s seven rebounds were all collected on the offensive glass. Brevard managed only eight second-chance points on 12 offensive boards.

Last Wednesday, the Bulldogs survived for a 51-46 victory over the Trojans of Anderson University in Cuddy Arena. Wollett 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. Washington knocked down three trifectas in the first half, scoring nine points and grabbing four rebounds on the night. Brooks celebrated Senior Night with seven points, five rebounds and three assists.

Williams is the top freshman scorer in the SAC with her 10.5 points per game. In addition, she is the top freshman in league games only with her 11.1 points per game. Williams is third on the Bulldog charts with her 10.5 points per game scoring average. She is second on the team list (behind All-SAC teammate Washington) with her 30 three-point field goals.

On the SAC charts, Wingate leads the league with its 75.9 percent accuracy from the foul line. In addition, the Bulldogs occupy the number one position in field goal percentage defense (37.0) and three-point field goal percentage (37.6). The Bulldogs are second in the SAC in scoring offense (70.4 points per game) and scoring margin (+5.2).

Washington is Wingate’s top scorer, averaging 14.0 points per game. She is ninth on the conference scoring charts. The McDowell High School product is third in the conference in three-point field goal percentage (and number one for Wingate) with her 42.5 percent conversion rate. 

The Bulldog basketball teams are hosting a first-round doubleheader in the Food Lion SAC basketball tournament Wednesday, March 2. The Wingate women host Catawba at 6 p.m. The Bulldog men face Brevard College at 8 p.m. Admission is free for Wingate administration, faculty, staff and students on Wednesday night only.

Non-Wingate administration, faculty, staff and students can purchase tickets for Wednesday’s quarter-final games at the following rates: $6 for adults, $3 for children, students and visiting college students with ID.

The 2010 volleyball team will be honored at halftime of the women’s game. During the men’s halftime, the 2010 cross country seniors and the 2010 men’s soccer team will be recognized.

Tickets for semi-final and championship rounds are $10 for adults and $5 for children, students and college students with ID. Fans showing the Food Lion MVP card can save $1 off the price of an adult ticket for the quarterfinals ($5 with Food Lion MVP card) and the semifinals and championship ($9 with Food Lion MVP card). The tournament winner will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a private comprehensive university with more than 2,300 students on two campuses in Wingate and Matthews, North Carolina. The university offers 32 undergraduate majors, 36 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, physician assistant studies and sports administration and doctorates in pharmacy and education.

Wingate students gain the tools and support they need to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. The campus community offers in-class learning, out-of-class experiences, strong mentors, a competitive yet caring environment and rewarding community service opportunities for a complete educational experience.

Bulldog student-athletes compete in 19 NCAA Division II sports. Wingate University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past four years.

Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 38 honorees during this millennium. Only Pittsburg State (Kan.) University and Truman State (Mo.) University have produced more Academic All-America® honorees during this time period. Wingate’s 47 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.