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Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University begins South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday, hosting Catawba College for a 6 p.m. contest in Cuddy Arena. On Saturday, sophomore point guard Amber Neely had 15 points, eight assists and four rebounds to lead the visiting Bulldogs past the Bearcats of Lander University 74-67. Wingate is 2-0 overall on the young season.
 
Neely made three-of-four shots from three-point range on the afternoon, while also going four-for-four from the free throw line. Senior guard Janitsha Williams had a game-high 17 points to go along with nine rebounds and five assists, while senior forward Kayla Harris had 11 points and six rebounds.

Wingate shot 45.3 percent from the field, knocking down seven-of-12 shots from three-point range (58.3 percent). The 'Dogs held Lander to 30.9 percent shooting from the field. The Bearcats went five-for-17 from beyond the arc (29.4 percent).
 
Williams leads Wingate with her 16 points per game. Neely averages 10 points per game, while sophomore forward Morgan McGee contributes 9.5 points per game. McGee and Williams share the team lead with their identical 8.0 rebounds per game averages.
 
The Bulldogs have two region wins in two tries against Peach Belt Conference schools, as Wingate opened its 2013-14 season with a 61-39 home victory over UNC Pembroke. Williams tallied 15 points to pass the 1000-point plateau for her career in the UNCP triumph. McGee had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while freshman guard Shelby Tricoli notched 10 points off the Bulldog bench.
 
Catawba enters tonight's contest with a 1-1 overall record. Junior guard Chloe Bully tops the team charts with her 21.5 points per game average. Junior forward Mallary Clay and senior center Antoinette McPhail contribute 11 and 10.5 points per game, respectively. McPhail leads the Indians with her 8.5 rebounds per contest.
 
The two teams split two regular season games last year. Bully had 21 points as Catawba rallied for a 68-60 home victory on Nov. 28, 2012. The Bulldogs hit a season-high nine three-point field goals in the road contest. Williams led the visitors with 18 points.
 
On Jan. 30, 2013, Wingate scored a season-high 77 points in a 77-56 victory. The Bulldogs scored 45 points in the first half, celebrating their return home after a four-games-in-five-nights road trip. Williams and Sarah Wollett ('13) had 16 points each for the Bulldogs. Forward Chantal Dunbar had a monster game with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Dunbar led the SAC in double-doubles last season. Bully had 16 points to lead the visiting Indians.
 
Wingate visits Tusculum Saturday (2 p.m.) before wrapping up its pre-Thanksgiving slate with a Tuesday, Nov. 26 home contest versus Lenoir-Rhyne. The Wingate versus L-R game will start at 4 p.m. on Tuesday (please note time change from original schedule).
 
WINGATE GIVES BACK: Wingate's SAC opener Wednesday is the school's Give Back Game. Everyone who donates a canned food item will receive a camouflage koozie during Wingate's Give Back Game. The Wingate University Interfraternity Council (IFC) will be giving out raffle tickets for each can donated. The raffle ticket holder will have a chance to win healthy living items to encourage everyone to stay fit through the holidays. All donations will be delivered to Second
Harvest Food Bank in Charlotte before the Thanksgiving holiday.