Florence, S.C.----Three players hit double figures as the number 14 Wingate University women's basketball team claimed a 69-65 NCAA Division II victory over Francis Marion University Wednesday night in the Smith University Center. Bulldog senior center Marta Miscenko led the visitors with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
 
Wingate junior guards Courtney Robinson and Caroline Averette had 15 and 11 points, respectively, for the Bulldogs (3-0 overall). Averette had her first career double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. FMU senior guard Khai Chandler led four Patriots in double figures with 23 points. Francis Marion is 2-1 overall.
 
GAME INFORMATION
 
Score: #14 Wingate 69, Francis Marion 65
Records: #14 Wingate 3-0, Francis Marion 2-1
Location: Smith University Center, Florence, S.C.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
 
-Wingate hit a season-high five three-point field goals with Averette and junior guard Taylor Helms nailing two triples each.
-The Bulldogs had 21 assists, led by Robinson's eight helpers. Miscenko and Averette had four assists each.
-Wingate's bench outscored the Francis Marion reserves 11-0. The five starters for the Patriots played 187 of a possible 200 minutes.
-The Bulldogs shot 60.7 percent from the field in the first half.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Quarter
 
Caroline Averette and Danasia Witherspoon put the Bulldogs out in front with two baskets each. Francis Marion's Keanua Williams splashed a long two-pointer; however, the Bulldogs maintained the lead after one quarter of play 20-14.
 
Second Quarter
 
Wingate's Caroline Averette helped the Bulldog post players by grabbing six first-half rebounds. Khai Chandler nailed a turn-around jumper to put FMU within five points. Patriot Shaunice Fulmore registered a steal and finished with a lay-up on the other end to pull the hosts within four (35-31).
 
A Courtney Robinson jumper pushed Wingate's lead back to eight at 39-31. Fulmore was fouled on a three-point shot as time expired in the first half. She was able to hit three-of-three at the free throw line to cut the Patriots' deficit to five at intermission.
 
Third Quarter
 
Khai Chandler made a lay-up in traffic to tie the game at 41. She was fouled on the play and made the free throw to give the Patriots their first lead of the game. The contest was tied four times in the third quarter with seven lead changes. Chandler hit back-to-back three-point field goals to make the score 55-54 Patriots at the end of three periods.
 
Fourth Quarter
 
The fourth quarter saw three lead changes. An inside hoop from Miscenko gave Wingate the lead for good at 60-59 with 4:19 remaining in regulation. A Witherspoon lay-up made the score 64-59 with 90 seconds left. The five-point cushion was Wingate's largest lead of the final frame.
 
TURNING POINT
 
Miscenko scored eight consecutive fourth-quarter points as Wingate turned a three-point deficit into a three-point lead with 2:20 remaining.
 
NOTABLES
 
-Four FMU players hit double figures. In addition to Chandler's 23 points, Fulmore had 19 points. Briana Burgins and Keanua Williams had 11 and 10 points, respectively. Burgins had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. She added three assists and three steals.
-The contest was Wingate's first road game of the 2017-18 season.
 
QUOTABLES
 
Wingate head women's basketball coach Ann Hancock: "It was not a pretty game, but we made big plays down the stretch when we needed them. Francis Marion did a great job on the offensive glass and getting to the basket, but we shot the ball well…which made up the difference. There are many things we need to improve on quickly. Courtney played a tremendous game. Marta and Danasia had some big stick-backs that were difference makers."
 
ON THE HORIZON

Wingate will play its fourth Peach Belt Conference in four games Tuesday, Nov. 21, as the defending South Atlantic Conference champions venture to Lander for a 5:30 p.m. tip. The Bulldogs open league play Wednesday, Nov. 29 when Newberry comes to town for a 6 p.m. start.