WINGATE, N.C. — The Newberry (11-8, 7-8 SAC) women’s basketball team fell to the Wingate Bulldogs (16-4, 12-3 SAC) by a final of 61-54 at Cuddy Arena on Saturday evening.

Wingate would hit it’s first two baskets to start the second half after garnering a seven-point lead heading into the break. The Wolves would go on a 10-3 run to pull within three. However, on a night everytime Newberry drew closer, Wingate then responded with a run of their own.

The Wolves held a 17-11 lead in the first half before Wingate closed out the second quarter with a 19-6 run and holding the lead the rest of the way.

Newberry closed the gap to three points at the 5:24 mark of the fourth quarter after a Shelby Britten jumper. Wingate then answered back as they had been doing all evening, outscoring the Wolves 11-5 in the final five minutes to split the season series.

Meg Essex and Nicola Handreck led the way for Newberry keeping them in the game on the offensive end combining for 42 points.

Essex finished the night with 19 points on 9-of-18 shooting to go with five rebounds. Essex lead the team at the half with 10 points, eight of which came in the first quarter.

Handreck led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-18 shooting, including grabbing a team-high seven rebounds. The junior guard tallied 16 of her points in the second half.

Three Wingate starters finished the game in double figures as Danisia Witherspoon finished the night with 17 points. Witherspoon was the Bulldogs leading scorer back in Novemeber when she scored 21 points in a loss at Eleazer Arena.

Marta Miscenko chipped in 13 points for Wingate and notched a double-double adding 13 boards.

Newberry will be back on the road Feb. 4 when they face Mars Hill. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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Staff Report