CLINTON - A trio of sophomore sensations scored 57 of Newberry's 69 points but it wasn't enough to overcome a 15 point deficit in the second half as the Lady Indians (9-7, 1-3 South Atlantic) fell to Presbyterian (14-3, 3-1 SAC) Wednesday night, 79-69.
Monica Alexander (20 points), Tonique Frasier (19 points) and Ashlee Wright (18 points) scored all but 12 of Newberry's points in the loss. Frasier posted a double-double in the game as she nabbed 11 rebounds while Wright's 18 points tied a career high.
Presbyterian was led by Amy Jones with 18 points while Rebecca Wessinger put up 16 points. Sharie Hopkins had a double-double herself with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
"Tonight was a tough game," said head coach Jason Brink. "I have to tip my hat to Monica [Alexander], Tonique [Frasier] and Ashlee [Wright]. They scored all but 12 points for us tonight and played well. We just need to find that fourth and fifth scoring threat."
Newberry and Presbyterian exchanged leads five times and had eight different tie scores in a first half that saw the teams battle back and forth. The Blue Hose made their presence known on the boards, outrebounding Newberry 23-17 in the first period. The Indians were potent from the free throw line, putting in 63% of their shots to PC's 47%.
Newberry was led in the first half by Tonique Frasier with 11 points while Ashlee Wright added eight. Presbyterian had a balanced offensive attack from Sharie Hopkins and Rebecca Wessinger who put up nine and eight points, respectively.
Newberry, who led for a good portion of the first half, saw their lead slip away late as Presbyterian's Amy Jones hit a wide-open three-pointer on a missed assignment. The basket tied the game with 12 seconds remaining on the clock and Newberry could not get a last second shot off as the teams retired to the locker room, knotted at 32 at the half.
Newberry led by as much as five early on in the second half before PC orchestrated a 15-3 run to take a 12 point lead in the game, 59-47. Newberry was down by as much as 15 with just over six minutes remaining and staged a late rally, pulling within six points with just over a minute left before PC was able to stop the rally and hold on for a win. Late free throws extended the Blue Hose lead to 12 for the 79-69 Presbyterian win.
Newberry returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 21 as they return home for just the second time in nine games. The Lady Indians will host the Pioneers of Tusculum College at 2 p.m. in the friendly confines of Eleazer Arena. Presbyterian next travels to Hickory, N.C., to take on the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears at the same time.
