MARS HILL, N.C. - Four Lady Indians scored 12 or more points, led by Ashlee Wright's career high 19, but Newberry was unable to overcome an 18-point deficit as they fell at Mars Hill 85-80 Saturday afternoon.
Tonya Deese had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds for Newberry (11-8, 3-4 South Atlantic) while Monica Alexander had a double-double with 16 points and 10 assists. Tonique Frasier added 12 points for the Indians' effort. Mars Hill (13-7, 3-4 SAC) was led by Kristi Ferris' 25 points, including the final two free throws of the game to seal the win for the Lions.
Mars Hill also had Lindsey Jones play a spectacular game with 20 points while Abby DeBusk added 19 points and Katie Davis put up 11 for the Lions. Mars Hill was aided by great first half shooting from the field (51.6%) and from three-land (50%) to take a large halftime lead.
Newberry jolted out to a 10-point lead in the first five minutes of the game but Mars Hill spent most of the next 10 minutes slowly chipping away at the Newberry lead before taking the lead at the 5:50 mark of the first period. Mars Hill continued to set the pace in the rest of the first half, taking a 44-36 halftime lead into the locker room.
The Indians were led by Monica Alexander, who scored six of her 10 first half points in the first two minutes of the half. Tonique Frasier posted seven points in the first half but also was in foul trouble with four fouls through the first 20:00 of play. Tonya Deese put up eight points and four rebounds for Newberry.
Shooting helped the Lions in the first period as Mars Hill shot 51.6% from the field and 50% from long distance range. Mars Hill went 3-for-6 from downtown while Newberry was unable to sink a three point shot, going 0-for-3.
Mars Hill led by as much as 18 in the second half before Newberry began to slowly even the score. An 11-2 run late by Newberry pulled the Lady Indians within one point at 81-80, but Newberry was unable to seal the deal and did not score again as free throws doomed Newberry late after turning over the ball with 1.5 seconds left in the game.
Newberry steps back from conference action to host Converse College on Wed., Feb. 1 at 7 p.m., in Eleazer Arena.
