Box Score

Salisbury, N.C.----Wingate University seniors Kayla Harris (Raleigh, N.C.) and Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) combined for 40 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Bulldogs to a 71-53 South Atlantic Conference women's basketball victory over Catawba College Wednesday night in Goodman Gymnasium. Harris had 24 points and eight rebounds, while Williams posted 16 points and six boards.
 
With the victory, Wingate (12-3 overall, 8-3 SAC) splits the season series with the Catawba Indians (8-7, 6-5 SAC). Bulldog freshman guard Alex Tomlinson (Raleigh, N.C.) had a career-high nine points for the visitors. Catawba senior center Antoinette McPhail (Timmonsville, S.C.) and freshman forward Jada Huntley (Indian Trail, N.C.) had 14 points each for the hosts.
 
In the first half, Catawba's five starters combined to shoot one-of-25 from the floor as Wingate built a 27-13 advantage. The Bulldogs shot 35.5 percent (11-of-31) in the opening frame, while the host Indians converted 13.9 percent (five-of-36) of their field goal attempts. Williams had 10 points in the first 20 minutes, while Harris added eight markers. Huntley topped the Catawba charts with four points.
 
A three-point field goal by Catawba sophomore guard Janna Dixon (Advance, N.C.) tied the contest 13-13 with 9:15 remaining in the first half. The Indians did not score again in the initial stanza, as the Bulldogs completed the half with a 14-0 run. Harris and Williams had four points each in the flurry; a three-point field goal by junior guard Kelli Bonner (Yadkinville, N.C.) completed the explosion with 1:41 to play.
 
Williams hit the first basket of the second half (19:17), giving the visitors a 29-13 advantage. Catawba responded with a 13-3 push to cut the deficit to 32-26 on two free throws by sophomore guard Zhaquondelee Greer (Greensboro, N.C.) at the 15:14 mark. McPhail and Huntley had six and four points, respectively, in the run.
 
The Bulldogs answered with an emphatic 23-8 run to take a 55-34 lead on a Harris lay-up with 7:57 to play. Five players scored in the decisive flurry, with Harris (eight points) and Tomlinson (six points) leading the way. Wingate junior guard Jasmine DeBerry (Charlotte, N.C.) had four assists in the run.
 
Catawba trimmed the deficit to 57-46 on a lay-up by junior forward/guard Chloe Bully (Hannut, Belgium) with 4:19 remaining, but the hosts would get no closer down the stretch. Bully's bucket completed a 12-2 run by the hosts.
 
Wingate hit 13-of-19 shots after intermission (68.4 percent). On the evening, the Bulldogs drained 48 percent of their field goal attempts (24-of-50). Catawba finished the night 28.4 percent from the floor (19-of-67). Wingate is 12-0 overall this season when holding its opponent below 40 percent field goal shooting.
 
Both teams play home games Saturday. Wingate hosts Brevard for a 2 p.m. afternoon matinee, while Catawba entertains Lincoln Memorial at the same time. The Bulldogs are 7-1 overall in Cuddy Arena during the 2013-14 campaign.