FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. — The Wolves (3-1) traveled to take on the nonconference Emmanuel Lions (2-1) on Thursday, they took the win against their first-time foe with a final score of 60-49.
Shelby Britten and Meg Essex have been leading the charge for Newberry on the young start to the season. The dynamic duo have posted double-digit scoring affairs throughout each contest thus far.
Essex notched her fifth career double-double going for 21 points and 12 rebounds. She also set and tied numerous career highs during the contest. She set a new career high in total rebounds at 12 and defensive rebounds at 11. Essex also tied her own career-high in assists at four.
Britten,who posted 25 points, flirted with tying her recently set career-high which was set last game against Lees-McRae putting up 27 that night.
The Wolves claimed two of the four periods, leading for the majority of the game seeing the only tie coming in the first period with the score 14-14. That stalemate in scoring would be broken on a free throw drained by Courtney Lyons seconds later. The matchup saw two lead changes with Emmanuel’s largest lead at four points, coming in the third period. Newberry stretched their lead by 15 points in the fourth period.
The pack were very active down low in the paint scoring 28 points to Emmanuel’s 14. The Wolves also edged out the Lions in the assists category, four to 21.
Emmanuel didn’t go quietly as they led Newberry 16-11 in the second period. The depth for the Lions proved more efficient as the reserves added 14 points. Capitalizing on Newberry mishaps, Emmanuel was able to tally nine points off turnovers.
Other key players were Nicola Handreck, Kelsey McDermott and Daijah Cousins. Handreck scored nine points, an assist, and three rebounds. The sophomore McDermott set a career high in rebounds at six and posted nine assists. Cousins, a freshman, set a career high of her own in rebounds at four over seven minutes.
“I thought tonight was a good team win. We were a lot better defensively in the second half, but need to find consistency on defense”, said Head Coach Sean Page.