Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University women’s basketball team resumes South Atlantic Conference play Saturday, entertaining Tusculum College in Cuddy Arena and Thomas Koontz Family Court (watch PPV video, listen to live audio, view live statistics). The Bulldogs are 6-5 overall (0-1 SAC), while the TC Pioneers are 7-2 overall (1-0 SAC).
 
On Wednesday night, Wingate’s five starters scored 69 points, leading the Bulldogs to a 77-65 home victory over Salem (N.C.). Sophomore guard Kelli Bonner led the double-figure brigade with her 17 points. Bonner added five assists and a team-best three three-point field goals. Junior guard Janitsha Williams had 16 points, five rebounds, five steals and three assists.
 
Senior guard Sarah Wollett, freshman forward Morgan McGee and junior forward Chantal Dunbar posted 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively. Dunbar was the game’s top rebounder with nine boards. Wingate led 67-50 with 7:33 to play. The Bulldogs scored 25 points off 22 Salem turnovers. Wingate had 19 second-chance points (thanks to 17 offensive rebounds).
 
Four Bulldogs average double-figure points. Williams leads the way with her 12.5 points per game. McGee (11.9), Wollett (11.4) and Dunbar (10.0) follow Williams on the Wingate charts. Dunbar is the team’s top rebounder with her 9.3 rebounds per game. Dunbar is third in the SAC in rebounding and field goal percentage (52.7).
 
Tusculum has been idle since Wednesday, Dec. 19, when the Pioneers earned a 52-44 home victory over Johnson C. Smith. Senior center Ashley Thurman led Tusculum with a career-high 16 points. Senior guard April McCann recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
 
Senior guard Kendal Baxter leads the Pioneers with her 15.4 points per game. Her 34 three-point field goals lead the SAC. In addition, Baxter leads NCAA Division II in three-point field goals made per game. McCann tops the TC charts with her 9.0 rebounds per game.
 
Wingate and Tusculum have one common 2012-13 opponent: defending Southeast Region champion Lander. Both the Bulldogs and the Pioneers defeated the Bearcats on LU’s home court. Wingate prevailed 57-56 on Nov. 17, while Tusculum earned an 81-55 decision on Dec. 1.
 
The two teams split two games last year, as each team won on its home court. Williams hit 15 points in Wingate’s 73-55 victory over Tusculum on Feb. 11, 2012. Earlier in the season, the Pioneers defeated the Bulldogs 79-69 on Jan. 7. Baxter led Tusculum with 21 markers.
 
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.
 
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.