JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The Newberry women's basketball team dropped a close one on the road, 77-70, at Carson-Newman tonight in South Atlantic Conference action.  After a well-played first half by the Lady Indians, Carson-Newman was able to storm back after the break thanks in large part to a 70.8% shooting performance in the second half.  Newberry drops just its second game in 10 tries, giving them an 8-5 overall record and a 0-1 conference mark.  The Lady Eagles improve to 8-5 overall and 1-0 in the SAC. 

Newberry jumped out to an early 8-2 advantage in the game's first five minutes and continued to build their lead, going ahead by as many as 11, 23-12, with 9:28 to go.  The Lady Indians put on a trapping defense clinic as they flustered the Carson-Newman guards into 10 first half turnovers.  The Lady Eagles finally figured out how to break the Newberry press and cut into the Lady Indian lead late in the half. 

Guard Elyse Garcia (Stockton, Calif.) sparked Carson-Newman with four free throws towards the end of the half, pulling the Lady Eagles to within one point with less than five to go.  After the Lady Eagles took their first lead of the game at 28-27 with 2:32 remaining, the Newberry bench, including Marie-Eve Lemoine (Sorel, Quebec) and Elizabeth Green (Columbia, S.C.), came up big giving the Lady Indians a 32-31 advantage going into the break. 

Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) led the way for Newberry in the opening half with eight, while Monica Alexander (Norcross, Ga.) chipped in seven.  Carson-Newman was led by Ashley Tipton (Knoxville, Tenn.) with eight and seven a piece from Giovanni Booker (Orlando, Fla.) and Cassie Burks (Las Vegas, Nevada).

Carson-Newman started off quickly in the second with a 5-0 run and never trailed again.  The Lady Eagles continued to break the Newberry pressure in the final stanza, but Newberry was able to stay within striking distance.  Despite a 60-50 deficit with 6:03 to go, the Lady Indians were poised to make a rally. 

Newberry cut the lead to four twice in the following minutes, making the score 71-67 with 0:38 to go.  Alexander hit eight straight points for the Lady Indians, including a layup, a three, and three free throws, pulling Newberry to within three, 73-70, with 0:17 left.  Newberry would get no closer after an offensive rebound by Booker sealed the game at 77-70.

Three Lady Indians posted 16 points, including Alexander, Frasier, and Ashlee Wright (Myrtle Beach, S.C.).  Tonya Deese (Newberry, S.C.) chipped in 10 points and seven boards.  Frasier led the way on the glass with nine, while Alexander dished four assists and made four steals.  Carson-Newman finished with five players in double figures, including a team-high 16 from Tipton.  Booker and Nicole Avrett (Shirley, Ark.) added 13 a piece and Burks and Eboni Johnson (Columbia, S.C.) both had 10.  Burks and Gabby Smith (Kansas City, Mo.) each contributed five assists.  Newberry out rebounded the Lady Eagles 43-30 on the game. 

Next up for the Lady Indians is their first home conference match-up against Catawba College.  The action takes place on January 11 at 6 p.m.  The Lady Eagles travel to Lenoir-Rhyne College on January 11 for a 6 p.m. game.