Harrogate, Tenn.----The Lincoln Memorial University women's basketball team finished the game on a 17-4 run, taking a 63-60 South Atlantic Conference victory over first-place Wingate University Saturday afternoon at Tex Turner Arena. The Railsplitters snap a three-game losing slide, improving to 13-12 overall and 10-9 in the SAC. Wingate sees a three-game winning streak end, falling to 19-8 overall and 17-3 in the SAC.
 
For Lincoln Memorial, senior guard Katrina Ottesen (Chandler, Ariz.) had a game-high 20 points. She hit four-of-eight three-point field goals Saturday. Lincoln Memorial sophomore guard/forward Megan Pittman (Liberty, Ky.) netted 16 points and pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds. Ottesen (nine) and Pittman (two) combined for only 11 points in Wingate's 88-65 victory over LMU on Jan. 10.
 
For Wingate, senior guard Kelli Bonner (Yadkinville, N.C.) topped the Bulldog charts with 15 points. Bonner hit five three-point field goals in seven attempts Saturday. Graduate student forward Chantal Dunbar (Virginia Beach, Va.) and junior forward Morgan McGee (Durham, N.C.) added 13 points each. Dunbar recorded her 23rd career double-double with a team-best 11 rebounds.
 
"LMU played a great game," Wingate head women's basketball coach Ann Hancock says. "They ended up with just a few more rebounds and a few more free throws than we did…which ended up being crucial. In our league, playing on the road is always tough. Today was even more challenging with the weather. We will refocus and get ready for Wednesday."

Two McGee free throws gave Wingate a 56-46 advantage with 6:38 to play, its largest lead of the contest. An Ottesen triple cut the LMU deficit to 56-52 two minutes later. An old-fashioned three-point play by Pittman gave the 'Splitters a 59-58 edge (and their first lead since the 13:55 mark of the second half) with 1:40 remaining.
 
Wingate redshirt senior point guard Brittany Hill (Mechanicsville, Va.) hit two free throws on the next trip down the court (1:25) to give the Bulldogs' their last lead at 60-59. Ottesen hit two-of-two free throws 12 seconds later to give the hosts the lead for good at 61-60. Wingate had two missed field goals and a turnover in the final minute of the contest. Pittman made two charity tosses with 12 seconds left for the final margin.
 
The Bulldogs did not make a field goal in the final seven minutes of the second half. On the afternoon, Wingate hit 33.9 percent of its shots (19-of-56), while Lincoln Memorial converted 37.7 percent (20-of-53). The Railsplitters held a slim 39-36 rebounding advantage. LMU made 17-of-21 free throws (81 percent); Wingate hit 15-of-17 charity tosses (88.2 percent). The 'Splitters hit six triples, while the Bulldogs nailed seven three-point field goals (in only 10 tries).
 
Hill had six points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals in a team-best 37 minutes. Thanks to the defensive efforts of Hill and her teammates, Wingate turned 13 LMU turnovers into 19 points. Conversely, Lincoln Memorial managed only six points from 13 Wingate miscues. The topsy-turvy game featured 17 lead changes and nine tie scores.
 
Wingate visits Newberry for a 6 p.m. contest Wednesday. On Feb. 4, the Bulldogs opened the second half on a 28-7 run en route to a 67-51 SAC home victory over the Wolves. Lincoln Memorial will have little time to enjoy its victory, as the 'Splitters venture to Brevard for a make-up game Monday night at 6 p.m.