CLINTON - The Newberry women's basketball team fell just short in their season opener tonight, 72-69, against Lander University at the South Atlantic Conference/Peach Belt Conference Women's Basketball Clash held in Clinton, S.C.  Newberry rallied to within one with 10 seconds remaining, but Lander guard Lashaundra Dubose (Timmonsville, S.C.) was able to ice the victory for the Bearcats with four free throws down the stretch.  Sophomore forward Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) paced the Lady Indians with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and three steals on the game.

Newberry got off to a slow start in the first half, as they fell behind by as many as nine.  While the Lady Indians missed some key close range shots, the Bearcats used a spark from three-point threat Bryony Crouch (Melbourne, Australia) to maintain the lead throughout much of the half.  Crouch splashed five three-pointers in the half, leading all scorers at the break with 15.  Newberry, led by Frasier with six points and seven rebounds, made a late spurt to gain the edge at halftime, 31-30. 

Freshman forward Anita Bulcher (Houston, Ohio) came off the bench to record five points and four boards in the first half for Newberry while sophomore guard Monica Alexander (Norcross, Ga.), sophomore guard Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.), senior forward Tonya Deese (Newberry, S.C.), and sophomore guard Chance Stewart (Rougemont, N.C.) all posted four points.  For the Bearcats, Dubose, guard Shatora Irby (Spartanburg, S.C.), and center Tara Nyikavaranda (Lusaka, Zambia) all added four, while Dubose and Nyikavaranda pulled down four boards each.  Dubose also dished five assists. 

Although Newberry racked up a better shooting percentage than Lander in the second half, the Lady Indians were plagued by 20 second-half turnovers, giving them 34 for the game.  Play was very even at the start of the second, but the Bearcats were able to capitalize on Newberry's ball-handling blunders.  The Lady Indians fell down by as many as eight with 9:39 remaining in the game, but a three by Stewart, four straight points by Wright, and a layup by junior forward Tygress Hope (Hephzibah, Ga.) gave the ladies a one point advantage, 58-57. 

Lander answered with back-to-back buckets by Crouch, then Irby traded baskets with Deese.  The Bearcat lead moved to five with 1:28 left, but Deese added another basket and a foul shot making the score 68-66 in favor of Lander.  Newberry was forced to foul to have another chance with the ball, but Dubose canned two freebies.  Stewart's three cut the Lander lead to one, but Dubose added two more free throws, making the score final.  The Lady Indians weren't able to get off a shot as time expired.

For the game, Stewart came off the bench to post 10 points, while Wright, Deese, and sub Cortney Snowden (Marietta, Ga.) put up eight a piece for Newberry.  In the rebounds category, Hope grabbed eight, while Snowden, Deese, and Alexander all added seven.  Alexander and Wright led the way in assists with five each.  Lander's Crouch led all scorers with 23, while Dubose and Irby added 14 and 13, respectively.  Dubose also contributed 10 rebounds and six assists. 

Next action for the Lady Indians comes tomorrow as they take on Columbus State University at day-two of the SAC/PBC Clash.  Tipoff is set for 6 p.m.  The Bearcats will face Presbyterian College at the Clash tomorrow at 8 p.m.