JEFFERSON CITY, TENN. — The No. 25 ranked Newberry women’s basketball team (11-4, 5-3 SAC) fell to Carson-Newman (14-4, 7-3) by a final score of 71-55 on Saturday afternoon at the Holt Fieldhouse.
Meg Essex nearly recorded a triple-double in the loss as the senior recorded 19 points, 10 rebounds, and seven blocks in the loss.
Essex paced the Wolves immediately to start the game as the center put up 15 points in the first half alone. Newberry suffered from poor shooting from behind the arc leading to Carson-Newman taking the early lead.
Brandi Hall made back-to-back baskets to aid in the scoring effort for the Wolves as they closed the first half trailing by eight.
The Wolves closed the deficit to a one-possession game following halftime when Kelsey McDermott hit a 3-pointer followed by a lay-up from Regan McCarty who converted a free throw opportunity after the made basket.
Carson-Newman responded with a 9-3 run to push the Eagles lead back to nine. Georgia Elliott-King made a free throw and a 3-pointer in less than 30 seconds to close out the quarter.
The Eagles opened the fourth quarter with 13 straight points leading to an insurmountable lead for the Wolves to conquer.
Postgame Notes:
• Essex has now recorded over 1,500 points and 250 blocks in her Newberry career.