NEWBERRY — The Wolves (5-0) move to 5-0 for the first time since the start of the 2014-15 season after Saturday afternoon’s 63-46 non-conference win vs. the Claflin Panthers (4-2) at Eleazer Arena.

Meg Essex lead all players with 18 points as four Newberry starters posted double figures. The sophomore also cleaned up eight rebounds for the Wolves who finished the evening shooting nine of 14 thanks in large part to her teammates who set her up with easy looks under the rim.

Newberry held Claflin to a season low 17.9 percent shooting in the first half. The Panthers struggles in the second half continued as they ended the game shooting 25.4 percent from the field. That is the lowest shooting percentage from an opponent since Newberry held Belmont Abbey to 25.8 percent from the field earlier this season.

“Today we were really good defensively, and that is a really good team. We really did a good job dominating on both ends of the floor. It was a great team win for us,” said Newberry head coach Sean Page.

Nicola Handreck posted 10 points for Newberry. The junior also added eight rebounds and five assists. Samara Hill accounted for 14 of Newberry’s points scoring nine of those in the second half. Hill chipped in six assists of her own.

Shelby Britten notched 17 points on the afternoon tying her season high as she accounted for eight of the made free throws by the Wolves.

Newberry will face their last non-conference opponent in an exhibition vs. Furman University on Monday, November 28th in Greenville before they head back into South Atlantic Conference play later that week.

Furman will be the host of the 2017 Women’s Basketball South Atlantic Conference Tournament in March.

Essex
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Essex-3.jpgEssex

Staff Report