NEWBERRY - The Newberry College women's basketball team outlasted Tusculum in a down-to-the-wire thriller to gain another pivotal South Atlantic Conference victory. Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) converted a three-point play the old fashioned way to put Newberry (12-4, 5-1 SAC) on top with 4.5 seconds remaining in the game.
Tusculum's (9-7, 2-4 SAC) final push down the court was well defended and failed to produce a potential tying or go-ahead shot.
Newberry dominated the boards en route to the victory, amassing 44 rebounds compared to Tusculum's 27. The scarlet and gray have accumulated more rebounds than their opponents in all but three games this season, and Newberry is 1-2 in those games as a result.
Newberry grinded out the victory despite being outshot by the Pioneers from the floor. Newberry shot 39.3% (22-56) from the floor while Tusculum managed to shoot 40.7% (24-59).The scarlet and gray redeemed themselves from distance by shooting 50.0% (5-10) on three point attempts. A 44.4% (8-18) free-throw effort plagued Tusculum as well.
The teams were incredibly well matched in the first half as the squads virtually exchanged possessions for the length of the period. Newberry scored first with a three pointer by Amy Browne (Maroochydore, Australia), but the Pioneers quickly equalized with a three pointer by Brittni Oliver (Kokomo, Ind.).
Tusculum took the lead on their next possession, but Newberry used a 7-3 run to recapture it. The scarlet and gray clung to the lead into the final minute of the half. The score was either tied or exchanged six different times in the first half alone.
Newberry led by as many as six in the half before the Pioneers used a 7-2 run of their own to close the gap. Tusculum notched a free throw in the last five seconds to lead 31-30 at halftime.
The second half provided similar competition and excitement. Newberry went up by three early in the half but Tusculum quickly responded with a game-tying three pointer with 17:14 left to play. Neither team lead by more than three points until Tusculum posted a 49-45 lead with 9:16 remaining.
Newberry responded when Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) managed points in consecutive possessions separated by only 17 seconds and tied the score with 7:22 showing on the clock.
Newberry controlled the ensuing minutes until Jasmine Gunn (Nashville, Tenn.) knocked down a pair of free throws to put Tusculum back on top 61-60 with 1:04 remaining.
Newberry came away empty on their next possession but was given another chance when Watson pulled down a rebound from a missed Pioneer free throw.
The ball went to Bulcher who instinctively made a move beneath the basket and converted a difficult attempt despite the defenders draped all over her. The ball went through the cylinder with 4.5 seconds showing on the clock and Newberry back on top 62-61.
Bulcher suppressed any nerves on the ensuing foul shot in order to complete the old-fashioned three point play with a perfect free throw.
Newberry, now leading 63-61, hustled back on defense and suffocated the Pioneers' game tying efforts. Jasmine Gunn raced the ball down the floor but was met in the paint by Bulcher and Watson. The clock expired with the ball still in Gunn's hands beneath the basket.
In addition to Newberry's comeback victory, Bulcher's last second heroics completed her tenth double-double of the season. She ended the night with 20 points and 10 rebounds, both of which were better than any player on the floor.
Amy Browne made it to double digit scoring as well with 10 points. Jessica Bearzatto (Melbourne, Australia) continued her reign as one of the conference's best passers with eight assists.
Newberry will take to the road this weekend as they head to Salisbury, N.C., to take on Catawba. Newberry split last year's regular-season series with Catawba but eliminated the Catawba Indians from the SAC Tournament in the teams' third meeting.
