NEWBERRY - Despite a sluggish start, the Newberry Lady Indians defeated Brevard College 64-54.  The win moves Newberry to 14-5 while Brevard falls to 7-11 on the season.

The Tornados of Brevard College opened the game on a 10-0 run.  Newberry went 0 for 6 in the opening three minutes.  Newberry, who did not have a starter score in the first half, slowly chipped away at the lead courtesy of the bench.  The Lady Indians were led in the first half by Carnicha Bellinger (Greenville, S.C.) with eight points.  Ashley Marine (Peachtree City, Ga.) scored six of her team high 14 points in the first half. 

Newberry took the lead for the first time with 4:15 to play in the half when Mashanda Thomas (Richmond, Va.) nailed her jumper.  Thomas's jumper was part of a 13-0 run by the Lady Indians which gave them a 28-22 lead.  A lay-up by Brevard's Samantha Winn, cut the half time deficit to 31-27 in favor of the home team. 

Newberry's bench accounted for all 31 first points with seven different non-starters recording at least two points in the half.

Brevard quickly tied the game at the start of the second half.  However, despite tying the game two more times in the opening five minutes of the half, the Tornados were never able to regain the lead.

Behind a strong second half from Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.), Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) and Ashley Marine, who combined for 26 of the team's 33 second half points, Newberry was able to extend the lead to 13 points.  The Lady Indians' top ranked defense forced 17 turnovers in the second half to help seal the 64-54 victory. 

Newberry defense held its opponent under 60 points for the 12th time this season.  The Lady Indians forced 26 turnovers on the night including 14 steals and two blocks. 

The Lady Indians attempted a season high 76 field goals including another season high 26 3-point field goal attempts.

Newberry's Ashley Marine scored a team high 14 points.  The mark is also a season high for Marine who went 5 for 12 from the field including 4 for 9 from beyond the arc.  Frasier added 10 points in the game and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the team.  Tosha Goodman (Winter Park, Fla.) and Leanne Watson each had a game high four steals.

Three Brevard College players hit double digits.  Holly Krogman led all scorers with 18 points and completed the double double with 10 boards.  Amanda Whitaker and Samantha Winn each had 10 points and six rebounds in the game.

The Lady Indians will host Carson-Newman College on Saturday at Eleazer Arena.  Newberry earned a 13 point win in this season first meeting with the Lady Eagles in Jefferson City, Tenn.