NEWBERRY - The Newberry College Lady Indians held the visiting Converse College Valkyries scoreless for 9:13 in the second half, going on a 25-0 run in that span to give the hosts an 86-54 non-conference win in Eleazer Arena on New Year's Eve.
Newberry (9-3) was led offensively by LeAnne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) who scored 17 points. Tacarra Harris (Tupelo, Miss.) netted 15 points, while Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) scored 12 and Carnicha Bellinger (Greenville, S.C.) scored 10 to round out four Lady Indians in double digits.
Converse (2-14) had three players in double digits, led by Ashley Arff's 11 points. Sydney Brown and Kendra Bothof each chipped in with 10 points.
Despite the final scoreline, the game was very tight early, with the Lady Indians only holding a 34-32 advantage at the break. The Valkyries started the game on an 11-2 run over the first 7:21 of the game. Newberry steadily chipped away at the lead, taking an 18-15 lead after an 8-0 run in the middle of the period.
The guests started out the second half hot as well, leading by five with just four minutes gone since the break. The lead went back and forth, with a Bothof layup giving Converse a 47-45 advantage with 13:27 left in the game.
The Lady Indians then turned up the heat, scoring 25 consecutive points before Converse could score again, putting the game well out of reach.
Bellinger, Watson and Laura Marquardt (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) each grabbed seven rebounds to lead the Lady Indians, who once again had a spectacular effort from the reserves, netting 52 points off the bench. Newberry scored 29 points off turnovers and scored 36 points in the paint.
The end of the 2007 calendar year also marks the close of Newberry's non-conference slate for the season. The Lady Indians jump back into South Atlantic Conference play on Saturday evening at Carson-Newman (6-6 overall, 1-0 SAC). Tipoff at Holt Fieldhouse in Jefferson City, Tenn., is slated for 6 p.m. with the men's game between the two schools to follow immediately afterwards.
Converse quickly resumes Conference Carolinas play on Wednesday, when the Valkyries host Anderson University.
