Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s basketball team returns to the friendly confines of Cuddy Arena and Thomas Koontz Family Court Saturday, hosting Brevard College in South Atlantic Conference play (listen to live audio, view live statistics). Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. The Bulldogs are 8-7 overall (2-3 SAC), while the Brevard Tornados are 4-9 overall (2-3 SAC).
 
Four Wingate student-athletes hit double figures Wednesday as the Bulldogs dropped a tough 74-66 overtime decision at Newberry. Bulldog junior forward Chantal Dunbar (Norfolk, Va.) recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Senior guard Sarah Wollett (Raleigh, N.C.) had 13 points, while junior guard Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) and sophomore guard Kelli Bonner (Yadkinville, N.C.) posted 12 points each.
 
Bonner hit four-of-six three-point field goals, including a triple to give Wingate a 60-58 lead with 13 seconds remaining in regulation. After a Newberry time-out, the Wolves sent the contest to extra time with five seconds left. The Bulldogs did not get an opportunity for a last shot, as Newberry collected a steal as time expired.
 
The lead changed 14 times Wednesday night. The contest was tied on six occasions. On the night, the Bulldogs shot 38.5 percent from the floor (25-of-65). Wingate outrebounded Newberry 43-33. Freshman forward Morgan McGee (Durham, N.C.) had eight rebounds off the bench, while Wollett pulled down seven caroms.
 
Wingate won both 2012 games against Brevard. On Feb. 25, Williams had 14 points as the Bulldogs claimed a 58-50 victory in Cuddy Arena. Wingate had 26 second-chance points Saturday, compared to zero for Brevard. The Bulldogs never trailed Jan. 21, obtaining a 65-61 triumph at Brevard. The Bulldogs’ bench outscored Brevard’s reserves 43-25.
 
Williams leads the Bulldogs with her 12.7 points per game. She is tied for second on the team with her 6.4 rebounds per game. Wollett (11.6), McGee (11.1) and Dunbar (11.0) give Wingate four double-figure scorers. Dunbar leads the SAC with her 9.9 rebounds per game. She has a league-best 11.6 rebounds per game in conference games only.
 
Brevard earned a 59-57 overtime victory at Lincoln Memorial Wednesday. Senior guard Michaela Watkins led the Tornados with 18 points. On the season, Watkins tops the BC scoring charts with her 13.8 points per game. Freshman forward Tuccoa Brackett contributes 13.2 points per game and a team-high 5.1 rebounds per game. Two of Brevard’s five SAC games this season have gone to overtime.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY

Wingate University, ranked as the 6th “best value” in the South by U.S. News & World Report, serves nearly 2,700 students on three campuses in Wingate, Matthews and Hendersonville, N.C. Founded in 1896, the University offers 35 undergraduate majors, 37 minors and career concentrations, numerous pre-professional programs, graduate degrees in business, accounting, education, physician assistant studies and sport administration, and doctorates in pharmacy and education. With a 14 to 1 student/teacher ratio, Wingate students gain the tools and support needed to excel in academics and apply that learning toward an extraordinary career and life. To view current news, video and story ideas, visit www.youtube.com/wingateuniversity. 
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past six years.

Wingate is first among NCAA Division II Academic All-America®-producing private colleges in the 2000’s with 52 selections. Among North Carolina’s colleges and universities, Wingate’s 52 Academic All-America® honorees are tied for first (with Duke University) during this millennium. Wingate’s 61 lifetime Academic All-America® picks are tops among all SAC schools. For more information, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com.