Box Score  

Jefferson, City, Tenn.---Wingate University senior guard Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) scored on a layup with under seven seconds to go in the second half to put the Bulldogs on top by one as Wingate would go on to win 57-54 at Carson-Newman University in South Atlantic Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs improve to 17-4 overall and 13-4 in the SAC. The Eagles fall to 12-11 overall and 9-8 in the conference.

The win keeps Wingate in first place in the league standings with five games to go. The Bulldogs are a half game up on Lenoir-Rhyne, who is in action later Saturday afternoon. Wingate has now won seven of its last eight games.

Senior forward Kayla Harris (Raleigh, N.C.) had 17 points and five rebounds to lead the Wingate attack. Williams added 11 points and eight boards, while sophomore forward Morgan McGee (Durham, N.C.) contributed seven points and four rebounds.

Kaitlyn Cupples had 16 points and six rebounds to lead the Carson-Newman attack. Tatum Burstrom added 11 points and four assists, while Lashawnda Peacher had seven points, five rebounds and three steals for the Eagles.

A layup from Harris eight minutes into the opening half gave the 'Dogs a 10-7 lead. Carson-Newman answered with a 10-2 run to take a five-point lead. Jai Jai McLaughlin had five points in the spurt, while Cupples added four points. The Bulldogs had the answer, closing the half on an 18-7 run. Sophomore center Alysia Hudson (Jacksonville, N.C.) started the flurry with a pair of layups, while a Kelli Bonner (Yadkinville, N.C.) triple tied the game at 21. A pair of buckets from Williams, along with a three from junior guard Jasmine DeBerry (Charlotte, N.C.) gave Wingate a 30-24 halftime advantage.

Williams knocked down a three early in the second half to put the 'Dogs on top by seven. The Eagles scored the next 11 points to take a four-point advantage at the 13:29 mark. Burstrum had seven points in the flurry. A layup from Cupples with 11:39 remaining gave Carson-Newman a 41-34 lead. The difference stayed between five and seven points for the next seven minutes.

Harris knocked down a jumper from the top of the key to cut the lead to four with four minutes remaining, while another Harris bucket made it 51-49 at the 3:06 mark. Wingate regained the lead on a pair of free throws from freshman Shelby Tricoli (Waynesville, N.C.) with 1:43 to go. The Eagles regained a two-point lead on a Cupples layup with 30 seconds remaining. McGee was fouled with eight seconds left and hit the first free throw. She missed the second, but sophomore Sharee Boyd (Charlotte, N.C.) got the rebound. After a timeout, Williams took the inbounds pass and made her way to the basket, converting the layup to put the 'Dogs on top. Carson-Newman missed a desperation shot and Harris added a pair of free throws for the final margin.

Wingate shot 39.1 percent from the field, hitting three-of-10 shots from three-point range (30 percent). The Eagles shot 35.5 percent, hitting three-of-18 shots from beyond the arc (16.7 percent). Carson-Newman held a 35-33 rebounding edge, while also holding a 12-7 advantage in second chance points.

Wingate returns to action Monday, traveling to Queens for a 6 p.m. start. The Bulldogs will play their third road game in five days on Wednesday, traveling to Coker for a 6 p.m. tip.