Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University freshman guard Danasia Witherspoon (Hickory, N.C.) had 10 points and 11 rebounds, leading the Bulldogs to a hard-fought 61-60 South Atlantic Conference win over Coker College Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena and Thomas Koontz Family Court. The victory is the fifth consecutive triumph for the home-standing Bulldogs.
 
WU junior guard Shelby Tricoli (Waynesville, N.C.) and junior forward Kristina Rumplasch (Mount Airy, N.C.) had 11 points each in the winning effort. Led by Rumplasch, the Bulldog bench outscored the Cobra substitutes 21-2. Five Wingate reserves played and all five found the scoring column.
 
Wingate is 8-3 overall and 5-2 in the SAC. Coker slips to 6-7 overall and 5-2 in the SAC. The Wingate Bulldogs host Carson-Newman University Saturday at 2 p.m. Coker returns home to face Mars Hill Saturday at the same time.
 
For Coker, senior guard Jazz Green (Darlington, S.C.) had a monster double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds. Classmate and backcourt mate Kiara Shoats (Dania, Fla.) also posted 16 points for the visiting Cobras. Coker sophomore guard Kendra Lambert (Palmyra, Ind.) added 13 points.
 
"Tonight was a big game for us," Wingate head women's basketball coach Ann Hancock says. "We showed a lot of toughness when we gave up the lead and scrapped our way back. We did a really nice job on the glass and made some big free throws down the stretch. Every game is so important for conference and region play. It's crucial to win at home. I'm super proud of the effort and tenacity."
 
Wingate led for 31-plus minutes, taking a 10-point advantage midway through the third quarter. Coker didn't quit, claiming a 57-53 edge with 3:10 to play in regulation. Two free throws by senior forward Terrika Foster (Spartanburg, S.C.) gave the visiting Cobras the four-point advantage and their biggest lead of the evening.
 
Coker would not score again until the final buzzer as the host Bulldogs made their move. A free throw (2:58) and a jumper (2:17) by Tricoli cut the Wingate deficit to 57-56. A Rumplasch bucket (on a Tricoli dish) gave Wingate the lead for good with 1:04 remaining. A Witherspoon steal and two Bulldog offensive rebounds highlighted the go-ahead possession.
 
Bulldog junior guard Alex Tomlinson (Raleigh, N.C.) had a steal on the Cobras' next possession. Witherspoon was fouled on the offensive end and drained both free throws to give the hosts a 60-57 edge with 25 ticks left on the clock.
 
The Cobras missed a potential game-tying triple and Witherspoon grabbed her 10th rebound of the night. She was fouled immediately (0:14). She missed both free throws, giving Coker another chance to tie. Foster missed a short jumper and Witherspoon was present again to snare the errant shot.
 
Coker fouled Tomlinson in the back court with four seconds left. She made the second of two shots for Wingate's 61st and final point. Green hit a running three-point field goal at the buzzer to settle the final margin.
 
Both teams shot 36 percent (and change) from the floor. Wingate made 22-of-60 (36.7 percent), while Coker hit 22-of-61 (36.1 percent). The Bulldogs outrebounded their South Carolina guests 45-33. Wingate freshman guard Courtney Robinson (Taylors, S.C.) had seven rebounds, including four on the offensive end.
 
Wingate outscored Coker 34-16 in the paint. Both teams recorded 10 points off turnovers. The Bulldogs had 12 second-chance points, compared to five for the Cobras. Coker posted 10 fast-break points with Wingate close behind with six fast-break markers.