BOX SCORE

Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University senior guard Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) notched 21 points to lead four players in double digits as the Bulldogs earned a 91-76 South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena. Wingate (14-7 overall, 8-5 SAC) sweeps the season series against Lenoir-Rhyne (16-6 overall, 8-5 SAC).
 
Wingate’s 91 points is a season-high; the Bulldogs are 9-1 at home this season. Wingate sophomore guard Nikki Burton (Charlotte, N.C.) had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Senior guard Tiffany Brown (Cartersville, Ga.) had 13 points and four assists, while senior forward Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) contributed 10 points and five rebounds.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne junior guard Whitley Culler (Mount Airy, N.C.) led the Bears with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Cameron Sealey (Mount Holly, N.C.) had 16 points and seven rebounds, while sophomore guard Krystal Patton (Chilhowie, Va.) added 13 points. The Bears have won one road game in Wingate’s Cuddy Arena in 26 seasons.
 
Wingate never trailed Wednesday, taking a 57-40 lead into intermission. A Burton three-point field goal on a feed from Brown gave the Bulldogs a 5-2 lead with 17:29 remaining in the opening frame. A Rutledge fast-break hoop on a Burton dish made the score 26-15 midway through the first half. Wingate shot a sizzling 60 percent in the first half (24-of-40). Lenoir-Rhyne managed only 32.4 percent in the first 20 minutes (12-of-37).
 
Brown hit a triple for the first basket of the second half, nudging Wingate’s lead to 60-40 at the 17:40 mark. The three-point field goal was part of a 14-0 run spanning both halves. Washington (eight points) and Brown (six points) did all the damage, as Brown drained a three with 16:39 to go, making the margin 68-40 Bulldogs.
 
Lenoir-Rhyne concluded the game with a 17-7 flurry to account for the final margin. The Bears hit 47.8 percent of their second half field goals (11-of-23), while the Bulldogs hit 37.9 percent after halftime (11-of-29). On the evening, Wingate converted 50.7 percent from the floor, a SAC games-only high.
 
Wingate passed out a season-high 25 assists. Sophomore forward Chantal Dunbar (Norfolk, Va.) supported Burton’s generosity with five dimes. The Bulldogs outrebounded the Bears 40-37. Wingate outscored Lenoir-Rhyne 48-32 in the paint. The two teams combined for 54 turnovers after pairing for the exact same number in Wingate’s 63-57 road victory on Jan. 11. Both teams had 27 miscues each Wednesday.
 
Both teams host key SAC games Saturday. Wingate entertains Tusculum Saturday at 2 p.m. Lenoir-Rhyne will return home to face Carson-Newman Saturday at 4 p.m.