Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs open the 2018-19 season this weekend in the PBC-SAC Challenge in Morrow, Ga. hosted by Clayton State. Wingate takes on Georgia College Friday at 5 p.m., then faces Clayton State Saturday at 4 p.m. The Bulldogs are coming off a 26-6 season that included a 17-3 mark in league play. Wingate was picked to finish second in the preseason SAC coaches poll and is ranked 21st in the WBCA preseason top 25.

Wingate appeared in its fifth straight NCAA Tournament in 2018, advancing to the NCAA Southeast Region semifinals for the second straight season and third time in the last four years. The Bulldogs finished second in the league standings and appeared in the SAC Tournament championship game for the third straight season. Wingate is 119-37 overall in the last five seasons, going 86-22 in SAC play.

"Our goals are always to win the SAC championship and make the NCAA Tournament," head coach Ann Hancock says. "We want to advance further than we have in the past. It seems like we've gotten stuck in the round of 16, so our goal is to get past what we've done the last few years."

Wingate returns four starters from last year's 26-win team, including preseason first team All-SAC selections Caroline Averette and Danasia Witherspoon. The 'Dogs also have guards Courtney Robinson and Taylor Helms returning, who started a combined 51 games last season. The lone starter lost from last season is SAC Player of the Year Marta Miscenko, who led the team in scoring, rebounds and blocked shots.

"The last three years, things have centered around Marta. We knew the last couple years if we needed a basket, we'd go to Marta first, then go from there. This year we have several new players, and we have returning players getting used to new roles. There are new faces that are still learning the basics, what a good shot is, what's not a good shot. We have a lot of expectations from the outside looking in based on what we've done in the past but that doesn't mean a whole lot. This team has to prove things to themselves. We have good pieces coming back, we do have some experience. But they have to step up and elevate their games if we're going to continue the success we've had in recent years."

POINT GUARD

Robinson was one of two players to start every game for Wingate last season, contributing 9.6 points and 4.2 assists per game. She ranked third in the SAC in assist-to-turnover ratio and fifth in assists per contest, while ranking 12th in steals. "Courtney has three years experience, knows the expectations and knows how to run the team," Hancock says. "She's worked as hard if not harder than anyone on her game. I'm hoping that will pay off in a big way. She wants us to be successful and has put in the work. She is a good floor leader, a coach on the floor and she understands what we want from her."

After Robinson, Hancock is looking to a pair of freshmen to play key minutes at the point guard position, starting with 5-3 freshman Jo Snow from Mount Airy, N.C. "Jo Brings some different aspects to the point guard position," Hancock says. "She is a good three-point shooter, stretches the defense a bit further than the past. She is very aggressive and explosive, can get to the rack and looks to score the ball. With a little experience she will add a different look at that position than what we've had in the past."

The other newcomer looking for minutes at point guard is Elana Ingram, a 5-6 freshman from Milton, N.C. "Elena is strong, she can get to the basket pretty much anytime she wants and she's a great athlete. She takes a lot of pride in being able to put pressure on the ball and get up in someone defensively. She adds an even different element than Courtney and Jo. In our exhibition at Clemson she didn't look scared, didn't turn it over and got past people and created for others by beating people off the dribble."

SHOOTING GUARD

Averette earned second team All-SAC honors last season. The leading returning scorer for the Bulldogs, Averette averaged 13.6 points per game last year, ranking second in the SAC in three-point shooting (44.5 percent) while knocking down a team-best 49 triples and ranking second on the team with 88 assists. "Caroline has proven to be one of the top wings in the league. She is sneaky good, a little deceptive, can knock down the three, get to the rim and is always at the right place at right time. She has good savvy and anticipation on what's happening in the game."

Helms appeared in all 32 games during her junior season, averaging 3.8 points per contest while finishing second on the team with 24 threes, shooting 38.1 percent from beyond the arc. She scored a season-high 13 points in the victory over fourth-ranked Carson-Newman. "Taylor has good experience on the wing and can play the point if needed," Hancock says. "She is willing to do all the little things, the dirty work, take charges and she can make open shots when she's got them. She can get to the rim when the opportunity presents itself. I feel good about her experience, knowing how we want to play and what we're looking for."

Sophomore Jasmine Stephen appeared in 31 games last season, contributing 3.2 points and 2.0 rebounds per game to go along with 20 assists and 18 steals. She had a career-high 13 points in the overtime victory over Columbus State in the NCAA Tournament opener. "Jasmine gives us a little more size and length," Hancock says. "She is a very good defender and driver, can get to the rack when she wants to. She really stepped up her game at the end of the season and had some big postseason games. Hopefully she can pick up where she left off at the end of last season."

The Bulldogs have two more sophomores that look to contribute in the backcourt in Morgan Simmons and Lindsey Barker. Simmons finished third on the team with 18 threes last season, shooting 41 percent from beyond the arc. She scored 18 points on six-of-10 shooting from three-point range against Mars Hill. Barker appeared in seven games, connecting on two-of-three shots from three-point range.

"Morgan is a deadly three-point shooter and she doesn't need a lot of space," Hancock says. "She has worked really hard in the offseason to be a better defender, which will allow her to stay on the court longer if she can continue to improve in that area. Opponents have to know where she is at all times or she's going to knock it down."

"Lindsey is in the group of a bigger guard that could play on the wing or if needed can play some in the post," Hancock says. "She got some good minutes in Italy and took advantage. She played well and made some good progress in practice up until getting hurt. She understands and knows what we want, so she is another option with experience."

The Bulldogs have three newcomers pushing for time, starting with 5-7 freshman MaeOla Willis from Kennesaw, Ga. "MaeOla is a slasher and a very good defender that takes pride in her defense," Hancock says. "She has surprised me the most with her ability to pass. She can get into the lane and even in traffic seem to thread the needle and find the open player."

Braelyn Whiteside is a 5-11 freshman guard from Swannanoa, N.C. "Braelyn has more size on the wing than we've had in the past," Hancock says. She can shoot or drive and has a very good basketball IQ. She understands angles and positions. She sees the floor well and the more experience and strength she gains, the more successful she will become."

Brianna Pressley is a 5-5 guard from Wingate, N.C. "We're looking for Brianna to give us another option from three-point range," Hancock says. "She will be able to stretch the defense and knock down open shots when she gets the opportunity."

POST

Witherspoon is a three-time All-SAC honoree. She averaged 10.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game last season to go along with 61 assists, 56 steals and nine blocked shots. She ranked second in the SAC in offensive rebounds while ranking seventh in steals and total rebounding. "Danasia is one of the best defenders I've ever seen," Hancock says. "It is amazing how she can guard her player and seem to guard everyone else. She is always in the right place at the right time to help and give support. I've never seen anybody like that. She can score the ball around the basket and has extended her range which will help stretch the defense. We are looking for a big season from her."

Junior forward Jordan Quick appeared in 27 games last season, contributing 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds per game, adding 13 assists and six steals. "Jordan put in a lot of work in the offseason and is in the best shape of her career," Hancock says. "She had a really good three games in Italy, which sparked and motivated her to continue to work. Her biggest challenge, which she's worked on, is playing without fouling. She has good basketball IQ and understands what we want to do."

Sophomore Teliyah Jeter appeared in 11 contests during her first season at Wingate, scoring 2.5 points per game on 57.9 percent shooting from the field while adding 1.5 rebounds per contest. "Teliyah has been the brightest spot in preseason," Hancock says. "She has a lot of length and plays bigger than her height. She is very long and has great timing to block shots. She has also been a relentless rebounder that just doesn't allow herself to get boxed out.  She has been more aggressive offensively. She played really well and had a double-double in the exhibition at Clemson."

Two more newcomers will also see minutes in the post. Ilene Hurley is a 6-2 center from Callaway, Va. "Ilene gives us size in the post," Hancock says. "She has made it really challenging to score against someone with that kind of size. If she continues to learn and get stronger she can provide some good minutes in the post for us offensively and defensively."

Makenzie Crump is a 6-1 forward from Morganton, N.C. "Makenzie is a little different than our other post players," Hancock says. "She is more like a guard, she can shoot the three and take people off the dribble. It has been pleasant surprise to see how well she has handled the ball against pressure. She doesn't back down from the challenge. If she gets more experience, she can be a factor for us, stretching the defense and making defenders come out and guard her."
"The preseason was challenging since we still haven't had our whole team on the floor for a day. In one sense, the freshmen had to learn by being in the fire, but it's been harder to get a rhythm. Last year we had our whole scheme and package in, but this year it's totally different. The process has been slower than the last couple of years, we show them what we're running, but with freshmen, you just have to go over it more times so it's a little slower process. The freshmen have talent and the future will be bright with them. But freshmen are freshmen. Hopefully they will progress quickly."

After the opening-season PBC-SAC Challenge this weekend, Wingate will play its home opener Wednesday, Nov. 14, hosting Francis Marion at 7 p.m. The Bulldogs open SAC play on the road, traveling to Coker Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. Wingate's first SAC home game is Saturday, Dec. 1, welcoming Carson-Newman to Cuddy Arena at 2 p.m.

WINGATE UNIVERSITY
 
A comprehensive, independent and growing university, Wingate serves more than 3,600 students in North Carolina. Founded in 1896, the University offers 37 undergraduate majors as well as graduate and professional programs. Wingate is home to the Cannon College of Arts and Sciences, the Levine College of Health Sciences, the Byrum School of Business, the Thayer School of Education and the School of Sport Sciences. Wingate blends in-class exploration with out-of-class application to deliver an uncommon and life-changing educational experience.
 
In addition to a robust intramural athletics program, Wingate student athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. The University has won the South Atlantic Conference Echols Athletic Excellence Award for the past 12 years. Wingate is first in the 2000s among NCAA Division II and North Carolina's colleges and universities with 105 CoSIDA Academic All-America® selections. Wingate is tops among all SAC schools with 114 lifetime Academic All-America® honorees. For more information on WU athletics, go to www.wingatebulldogs.com. Current news and videos can be found at www.wingate.edu.