Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s basketball team concludes the first rotation of South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday, hosting Anderson (S.C.) University Wednesday in Cuddy Arena. Game time is 6 p.m. The Bulldogs (11-5 overall, 5-3 SAC) have won four games in a row, while the Anderson Trojans (6-10 overall, 3-5 SAC) have dropped seven of their last eight.
 
On Saturday afternoon, Wingate sophomore guard Nikki Burton (Charlotte, N.C.) had 21 points, seven rebounds and two steals to lead the visiting Bulldogs past the Tornados of Brevard College 65-61. Burton hit nine-of-17 shots from the field to lead the Wingate attack.
 
Five other Bulldogs scored at least six points at Brevard. Senior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) had 10 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) and junior guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) added eight points each for the ‘Dogs.
 
An early second-half drought proved costly Saturday, as Anderson dropped a 60-42 decision at Carson-Newman College. Trojan junior guard Amanda Parris (Summerville, Ga.) led all scorers with 14 points. Classmate and backcourt mate Alissa Diaz (Coral Springs, Fla.) added 10 points.

Last year, Wingate swept the season series between the two teams. On Jan. 26, 2011, sophomore guard Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) had 16 points to lead the Bulldogs to a 65-56 road victory. Williams knocked down three-of-four shots from three-point range on the night. In the return match-up, Wingate earned a hard-fought 51-46 home triumph Feb. 23, 2011. Wollett scored nine of her team-high 10 points in the second half. She hit a huge three-point field goal with 15 seconds left to give the hosts a five-point lead.
 
On the season, Burton leads the Bulldogs in scoring (15.1 points per game), field goal percentage (47.7 percent), free throw percentage (80.0 percent), steals (54) and blocked shots (19). She is ranked in the SAC top 10 in each of the aforementioned categories. Washington is next on the team scoring charts with her 11.2 points per game. Williams is next with her 10.8 points per game. Rutledge contributes 9.4 points per game and a team-best 7.3 rebounds per game.
 
Diaz leads Anderson with her 13.4 points per game. Trojan junior forward Breonda Shannon (Columbia, S.C.) averages 8.8 points per game and a team-high 8.5 rebounds per game. Anderson is ninth of 10 SAC teams in scoring offense, averaging only 63.1 points per game. Wingate is third in the SAC with its 71.2 points per game. The Bulldogs are second on the league charts in scoring margin (+6.8 points per game).
 
Bulldog head coach Barbara Nelson and her troops have compiled a 43-12 home record in her five seasons. Nelson’s overall record is 88-48 during her time at Wingate. In her first season at Wingate, Nelson helped the Bulldogs advance to the 2008 Elite Eight. Wingate has made NCAA play-off appearances in two of her four seasons. Jim Brunelli has spent four seasons as Anderson’s head coach.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
Founded in 1896, Wingate University is a comprehensive university with more than 2,500 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. The university offers 34 undergraduate majors, 37 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 five years.
 
Wingate University is ranked number three among NCAA Division II Academic All-America® producing schools in the 2000’s with 42 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 51 Academic All-America® honorees (lifetime) is tops among all SAC schools.