NEWBERRY - The Newberry College women's basketball team outlasted Mars Hill in a pivotal South Atlantic Conference matchup on Wednesday night. Newberry (9-4, 2-1 SAC) was outshot from the field, but dominated the boards in order to rally past the Lions (5-8, 1-1 SAC).
The scarlet and gray got off to a better start in the affair, scoring the first seven points of the game and keeping the Lions off the scoreboard for the opening four minutes. Mars Hill then managed a 16-10 run that spanned roughly 10 minutes and got them back into the game.
The Lions pulled within one, but Newberry gained the upper hand once more and closed the half on a 10-2 run which took them into the locker room with a 27-18 lead.
Neither team shot outstandingly in the first half. The scarlet and gray were 10-31 (32.3%) from the field while the Lions went 8-28 (28.6%) in the half. The Lions were only 1-5 (20.0%) from the free-throw line as well. Newberry outrebounded Mars Hill 27-17 in the first period. Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) pulled down nine rebounds in the first half.
The teams exchanged short runs for most of the second half as Mars Hill attempted to chip away at Newberry's lead. The Lions contested Newberry's attempts and knocked down a few early baskets to cut the lead to five just three minutes into the half.
The scarlet and gray controlled the pace of play over the next five minutes while converting on a three pointer and a pair of layups to extend the lead back to ten. Newberry saw its biggest lead at 14 points with just over five minutes to play.
The Lions weren't through, however, and embarked on 12-3 run to draw within four points with a minute to play.
Newberry had opportunities to put the game away down the stretch but failed to convert on free throws that would have put it out of reach. The scarlet and gray did manage to shut down the Lions defensively, however, and thwarted any potential comeback efforts.
Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) shined yet again en route to her eighth double-double on the season. The senior had 15 points to go with 20 rebounds. Watson achieved a double-double as well with 15 points and 13 rebounds on the night.
Amy Browne (Maroochydore, Australia) managed 14 points on the night while Helen McKinney (Owensboro, Ky.) ended the game with 10 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Jessica Bearzatto amassed 8 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
Mars Hill is the only team to have beaten Newberry in Eleazer Arena under head coach Sean Page after an 81-80 comeback victory over Newberry last season. The scarlet and gray improved their record to 6-0 in home games so far this year.
Newberry will stay at home to face off against Lenoir-Rhyne this weekend in a Saturday afternoon SAC competition. The game will begin at 2 p.m. on January 9, in Eleazer arena.
