Dahlonega, Ga.----The fifth-seed Carson-Newman University Eagles utilized a 17-0 second-half run to prevail 81-65 over fourth-seed Wingate University in NCAA Regional Quarterfinal action at the Convocation Center in Dahlonega, Ga. Carson-Newman improves to 27-5 and advances to the regional semifinals, while the Bulldogs' season ends with a record of 24-6.
 
KEY STATS
 
- Carson-Newman shot 49 percent from the field; Wingate made 36 percent of its attempts
- The Eagles were six-of-24 (25 percent) from beyond the three-point line, while the Bulldogs made three of 19 (16 percent) triples
- WU was 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the free throw line; C-N was 11-for-16 (69 percent) from the charity stripe
- The Eagles outrebounded Wingate 44-36
- Carson-Newman recorded 23 assists on 32 made baskets; the 'Dogs assisted on eight of their 22 made baskets
- Each team committed 14 turnovers
- The Eagles out-scored the Bulldogs in the paint 40-30
 
KEY BULLDOGS
 
- Jaia Wilson had a team-high 13 points on five-of-nine shooting with five rebounds and two assists
- Hannah Clark added 12 points and five rebounds with no turnovers
- Bryanna Troutman registered 10 points and four rebounds in 24 minutes
- Lauren Sullivan hit three three-pointers, adding three rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block
- Ilene Hurley chipped in eight points on three-of-four from the floor
- Haleigh Brandon scored seven points and pulled down nine boards
 
NOTES
 
- Wingate's 19th NCAA Tournament appearance
- First since 2018-19 season
- The Bulldogs move to 20-19 in the NCAA Tournament
- WU won the outright SAC regular season title
- The 'Dogs won both regular season meetings with Carson-Newman
- Just the fourth time the Bulldogs were outrebounded this season (1-3)
- Brandon graduates with over 500 points and 500 rebounds in her two-year Wingate career
 
FIRST QUARTER
 
- Carson-Newman opened the game on an 8-0 run
- The Bulldogs responded with a 10-0 run of their own
- Wilson's and-one gave the 'Dogs a two-point lead midway through the quarter
- After an Abby Wilson three-pointer, Hurley answered with back-to-back layups to give Wingate a 14-11 advantage
- It would be the last lead of the game for the Bulldogs
- C-N ended the period on a 7-0 blitz to take a four-point lead after 10 minutes
 
SECOND QUARTER
 
- The Eagles scored the opening basket of the second quarter, extending their run to 9-0
- Both teams defenses held each other scoreless for the next two and a half minutes
- Clark's layup and Troutman's free throw cut the difference to a single possession
- Carson-Newman's 10-0 run over two and a half minutes put the Eagles up 30-17 at the 3:34 mark
- Sullivan's three-pointer jump-started a quick 7-0 spurt for Wingate
- The teams traded baskets in the final minute as C-N took a 32-26 lead to the locker room
 
THIRD QUARTER
 
- Troutman got going out of the second-half gates for Wingate
- She scored six points within two and a half minutes
- Her jumper at the 7:33 mark cut Carson-Newman's lead to a single point
- The Eagles' 17-0 run over the next five minutes helped push their lead to double digits
- Addison Byrd's jumper at the 2:49 mark made the score 52-34
- Clark's jumper twenty seconds later snapped the scoring run
- Abby Wilson's three-pointer capped the Eagles' big quarter, leading 59-38
- Byrd and Braelyn Wykle combined for 18 points in the period
 
FOURTH QUARTER
 
- The Eagles' basket to start the fourth gave them their largest lead of the game at 61-38
- Wingate's 6-0 run ending at the 6:09 mark cut the deficit to 15
- After C-N's lead grew up to 20, the Bulldogs once again fought back to cut it back down to 15 with two minutes to go
- It proved not enough time, as Peyton Davis' layup in the waning seconds solidified the 81-65 final score