Box Score
Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University seniors Kayla Harris (Raleigh, N.C.) and Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) combined for 44 points, 12 rebounds, seven assists and five steals as the Bulldogs earned a hard-fought 68-63 South Atlantic Conference women's basketball victory over Coker College Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena and Thomas Koontz Family Court. Harris had 23 points, while Williams netted 21 markers.
 
The first-place Bulldogs improve to 14-3 overall and 10-3 in the SAC with their fifth consecutive victory. Coker is 9-8 overall and 7-6 in the SAC. Wingate has won nine home games in 10 attempts this season. The Bulldogs entertain Mars Hill University Saturday to end a three-game home stand. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
 
Harris hit nine-of-14 field goals as she eclipsed the 20-point barrier for the third time in her last four games. Her statistics ledger included 23 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals and one blocked shot. Williams posted 21 points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals. Bulldog sophomore point guard Amber Neely (Charlotte, N.C.) had six points, five assists, five rebounds and two steals.
 
For Coker, junior guard Hailey Yohn (Durham, N.C.) had 17 points on the strength of five three-point field goals. Senior forward Jessica Cohen (Ladson, S.C.) had 12 points and five rebounds, while junior forward Kelley Godbout (Matthews, N.C.) had 10 points and five rebounds.
 
A fast-break lay-up by Williams gave the Bulldogs a 51-40 lead with 10:17 remaining in the contest. The 11-point margin was Wingate's largest of the evening. The Coker Cobras responded with a 17-6 run to tie the game 57-57 on Yohn's triple at the 3:57 mark.
 
Baskets by sophomore forward Sharee Boyd (Charlotte, N.C.) and Harris gave Wingate a 61-57 edge with 2:49 to play. Godbout hit a triple 12 seconds later to pull the visitors within one. Harris added a free throw and a jumper to make the score 64-60 Wingate with 1:05 left.
 
Yohn hit her five and final three-point field goal on the ensuing possession to cut the deficit to 64-63 with 53 ticks on the Novant Health clock. Neely was fouled immediately and she hit one-of-two free throws to give the 'Dogs a 65-63 advantage.
 
Coker missed three field goal attempts on its next possession. Neely rebounded the third miss and drew a foul. The N.C. Central transfer made one-of-two free throws to nudge Wingate's lead to three points. Yohn missed a game-tying three-point try and the Bulldogs got the rebound. Williams made two free throws with three seconds left to settle the final margin.
 
The Cobras made three-of-four three-point field goals in a lively first half which ended with the visitors up 29-28. The opening 20 minutes featured three ties and 10 lead changes. Cohen and Yohn had eight and six points, respectively, for the visitors. Harris led all first-half scorers with 10 points. Williams added eight points.
 
Wingate shot 46.4 percent in the decisive second half (13-of-28) to finish the game with a 42.6 shooting percentage (26-of-61). The Bulldogs outrebounded the Cobras by a narrow 39-36 margin. Sophomore forward Morgan McGee (Durham, N.C.) contributed five rebounds for the hosts, while three players had five boards each to lead the Cobras' rebounding efforts.
 
Thanks to Yohn and Cohen, the Coker bench outscored the Wingate reserves 31-12. The Bulldogs had the advantage in points in the paint (34-28), points off turnovers (23-13) and fast-break points (14-4). The Cobras had 13 second-chance points, compared to eight for the Bulldogs.
 
Three teams (Lenoir-Rhyne, Carson-Newman and Lincoln Memorial) are one game behind the Bulldogs with identical 9-4 league ledgers. Coker is tied with Anderson and Newberry for fifth place with 7-6 SAC marks. The Cobras have a chance to move up the ladder Saturday, visiting Lincoln Memorial for a 6 p.m. contest.