DUE WEST - The Newberry women's basketball team used strong defensive pressure to down Erskine College, 67-50, tonight on the road. Three Lady Indians produced double-digit figures, with sophomore Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) leading the way with a balanced 18. Erskine shot a dismal 41.9% from the charity stripe on the game. With the win, Newberry improves to 8-4, while the Flying Fleet drops to 2-4.
The Lady Indians took control early and never trailed. Newberry's lead stayed around five points early in the half, but Monica Alexander (Norcross, Ga.) and Cortney Snowden (Augusta, Ga.) sparked a 7-0 run, giving the Lady Indians a 25-12 lead with 6:23 remaining. Wright helped push the lead to 14 just minutes later and dropped a late jumper, making the score 32-20 in favor of Newberry heading into the half.
The Lady Indian defense held Erskine to just seven field goals in the opening stanza. Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) led Newberry in the first with nine points, while Alexander and Wright each chipped in eight. The Flying Fleet were led by seven points from Anita Owens (Walhalla, S.C.).
Newberry poured on an 8-0 run to start the second half, making the score 42-20 with 16:48 to go. Erskine guards Owens and Melissa Woods (Suwanee, Ga.) tried to get the Fleet back into it with their three-point shooting abilities, but the home squad never got closer than 14. A late three by guard Lauren Brendle (High Point, N.C.) broke into Newberry's 20-point lead, making the score final at 67-50.
Wright paced Newberry with a career-high 18 points, while Alexander chipped in an equally effective 16. Alexander also added six rebounds and six assists. Frasier ended up with 13 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Erskine was led by 13 points a piece from both Woods and Owens. Woods put in 10 of her 13 in the second half. Forward Garreth Smoak (Greenwood, S.C.) added nine for the Fleet.
The Lady Indians will start conference play this Saturday, January 7 as they travel to Carson-Newman College for a 6 p.m. game. Erskine is set to face Limestone College at home on January 5 at 5:30.
