WINGATE, N.C. - Wingate University rallied from a 12-point second half deficit to force overtime and took over in the extra frame, surviving for an 85-82 South Atlantic Conference victory over Newberry College Saturday afternoon in Cuddy Arena on the Wingate campus.
With the victory, Wingate (16-7 overall, 9-1 SAC) remains in first place in the SAC. The Bulldogs are one game ahead of Carson-Newman College (18-5 overall, 8-2 SAC). Newberry falls to 14-9 overall and 4-6 in the SAC.
Newberry's Carnicha Bellinger (Greenville, S.C.) led all scorers with 23 points. The freshman forward hit seven-of-11 field goals. Indian freshman guard Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) contributed 13 points in a reserve role. Marine hit three-of-six three-point field goals.
Wingate's Tanetra Barrett (Marshville, N.C.) hit a three-point field goal with one second left in regulation, tying the contest at 71-71 and sending the game into extra innings. Wingate took control in the overtime period, scoring the first eight points during free basketball to take a 79-71 lead on a traditional three-point play by Lakin Byer (Bassett, Va.) with 3:05 remaining.
Newberry cut the lead to 84-82 on a lay-up by freshman guard Monica Alexander (Norcross, Ga.) with 11 seconds left in overtime. The Indians fouled Barrett, but she missed both free throws. Emily Paffrath (Bakersville, N.C.) grabbed the rebound on the second miss. Barrett was fouled again and she made one of two charity tosses with five ticks on the clock to make it 85-82 Wingate.
A three-point field goal by Newberry senior guard Laura Banda put the Indians up 45-33 with 15:30 to play in regulation. The 12-point bulge was the biggest lead for either team. Wingate wasted little time getting back in the game, as the Bulldogs put together a 7-0 mini-run to make it 45-40 on a Byer free throw with 13:22 to go.
Wingate placed five players in double figures. Byer notched 15 points off the bench. Barrett netted 14 points, while junior center Veronica Taylor (Columbia, S.C.) and Paffrath contributed 13 points each. Bulldog senior Ali Greiner (Raleigh, N.C.) chipped in 11 points.
The game was tied only five times (four in the first half). A lay-up by Newberry by freshman guard Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) gave the Indians a 28-26 lead with 1:19 left in the first half. Newberry led the rest of the way until Wingate took a 73-71 lead on a Taylor lay-up with 4:17 remaining in overtime.
Newberry outrebounded Wingate 44-42. Indian freshman forward Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) topped the Newberry rebounding charts with eight.
Newberry seeks that elusive 15th win and sole possession of fourth place for the most successful season in the program's history Wednesday night at 6 p.m. at Presbyterian College.
