Hickory, N.C.----Lenoir-Rhyne University freshman forward Madeline Hardy went 10-for-10 from the field Wednesday evening, leading the Bears to a 66-62 victory over visiting Wingate University at Shuford Gym in South Atlantic Conference women's basketball action. The Bears outscored Wingate 5-0 over the final minute to hang on for the win. Lenoir-Rhyne improve to 12-11 overall and 7-8 in SAC play while the Bulldogs fall to 17-6 overall and 12-4 in league play.

KEY STATS

- LR shot 47 percent from the field, connecting on seven-of-18 from beyond the arc (39 percent)
- Wingate shot 43 percent from the field, going six-for-12 from three-point range (50 percent)
- The Bulldogs held a 33-29 rebounding advantage
- Wingate went 12-for-15 at the free throw line; LR was 11-for-17
- The 'Dogs held a 48-32 advantage in points in the paint

KEY BULLDOGS

- Jordan Quick had 13 points and four rebounds
- Jo Snow added 12 points, four rebounds, four assists and two steals
- Caroline Averette contributed 11 points, three boards and two assists
- Danasia Witherspoon added eight points, 10 boards, five assists, two blocks and two steals
- Morgan Simmons contributed six points
 
KEY BEARS
 
- Hardy had 23 points and six rebounds
- Karlie Bearden contributed 10 points, three steals and two boards
- Ashley Rodriguez added nine points, four rebounds and three assists
- Toineeta Kendall notched six points and 11 assists

NOTES

- Wingate falls to 44-16 all-time against the Bears; 17-11 at Lenoir-Rhyne.
- The loss stops a six game winning streak against LRU.
- Wingate falls to 5-3 on the road in SAC games, with two contests away from Cuddy Arena left in the regular season.
- The Bulldogs remain alone in the SAC standings after Carson-Newman's loss at Anderson.

FIRST QUARTER

- Buckets from Quick, Robinson and Snow gave WU an early 7-0 lead
- Allie Wagner's layup got LR on the board at the 6:45 mark
-Morgan Simmons' three gave the 'Dogs a 12-4 lead midway through the first quarter
- The Bears ended the quarter with three quick buckets from Hardy
 
SECOND QUARTER

- Layups from Witherspoon and Quick gave Wingate a 23-15 lead a minute into the second quarter
- A Hardy jumper got LR within two with 5;27 remaining
- Buckets from Witherspoon and Taylor Helms, gave WU a 33-25 lead at the 2:45 mark
- A Bearden jumper capped the scoring for the Bears, trailing Wingate 35-39 at the half
 
THIRD QUARTER

- Back-to-back three's fromToineeta and Rodriguez gave LR their first lead of the game.
- A buckets from Quick and two free throws from Snow made it 43-42 with 6:20 to go
- Threes from Averette and Snow gave the 'Dogs a 53-46 advantage
- LR would end on a 6-0 run coming off buckets Toineeta and Wagner
-Wingate leads 53-52 heading to the final frame

FOURTH QUARTER

- Hardy started the scoring for the Bears; giving LR a one point lead at the 8:51 mark
- WU countered with an Averette jumper to put the 'Dogs back on, taking a 55-54 lead  
- Hardy went one-for-two at the charity stripe for the Bears to make it a one point game midway through the final frame
- Bearden converted on both free throws with 2:33 to play, giving LR the 59-58 lead
- LR scored the final 5 points of the game with a Hardy layup, and three Madi Suddreth free throws

UP NEXT

- Wingate returns home Saturday afternoon, hosting Mars Hill at 2 p.m.
- The Bulldogs are at Newberry next Wednesday at 6 p.m.
-WU has their final home game of the season Wednesday Feb 27 against Queens