NEWBERRY - Newberry College sprinted to a 21-point lead after ten minutes and never looked back, trouncing North Greenville College, 81-52, in women's college basketball action Tuesday night at Eleazer Arena. Three Lady Indians scored in double figures, and 13 players contributed to the point total for Newberry (13-6, 3-3 South Atlantic Conference).
North Greenville (7-12) made a basket on its second attempt in the first minute of play and did not score again until six minutes later, after Newberry had scored 15 unanswered points. The visitors almost immediately suffered through another dry spell, finding themselves on the short end of a 15-4 run.
Newberry held a 47-21 halftime lead, due in part to a 57% shooting percentage compared to the Lady Crusaders' 24% from the floor. The Indians mounted as much as a 33-point margin in the second period and commanded every statistical category except turnovers (both squads had 25 giveaways).
"We had a team effort tonight, and were able to get contributions from everyone who played," Newberry head coach Jason Brink said following the game. "That's something we hope to continue to do during conference play."
Freshmen Carnicha Bellinger (Greenville, S.C.) and Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) turned in fine individual performances. Bellinger notched her 15th consecutive game scoring in double digits with a game-high 16 points. Frasier battled for 12 points and 13 rebounds to up her season double-double number to four. A third frosh, Claire Hogan (Lansing, Mich.), made her first three shot attempts and finished with 12 points. Over half (44) of Newberry's points came from non-starters.
The Newberry interior defense paralyzed North Greenville's Earlana Jackson (Greenville, S.C.) for a half of play, as the center managed just six points in the first half and only 14 on the night. Help from the weak side and good defensive rebounding position held Jackson below her season average of 16.4 points per contest, and far below the career-high 32 points she scored on the very same court in February 2004. Dena Johnson (Greenwood, S.C.) was the only other Crusader with more than six points, scoring 12.
Newberry looks to improve on a 7-3 home record Thursday night against Mars Hill, a game originally scheduled for last Saturday but postponed because of threatening winter weather. Doubleheader action begins at 6 p.m., followed by the men's game. North Greenville travels to Tennessee to take on King College Thursday at 6.
