NEWBERRY - The Newberry College women's basketball team shined in a pivotal South Atlantic Conference matchup against Lenoir-Rhyne Saturday afternoon, shooting over 50% from the field en route to a 77-59 victory. Newberry (10-4, 3-1 SAC) capitalized on several scoring runs to pull away from Lenoir-Rhyne (10-4, 3-1 SAC) in the second half and draw even with the Bears in the SAC standings.
Newberry's shooters impressed in the dominant affair, rallying to shoot 52.0% (26-50) from the field in the game and 58.3% (7-12) on three-point attempts. The scarlet and gray shot 60.0% (15-25) in the second half as they ran away from the Bears.
Newberry continued to dominate the boards as well. Newberry pulled down 41 rebounds compared to just 21 for the Bears. Newberry didn't allow the Bears a single offensive rebound in the second half after surrendering eight in the first. Newberry improved on its rebound margin of +10.6 which was already best in the SAC and twelfth best in the country.
The teams exchanged a handful of turnovers in the early going before Newberry finally opened the scoring. The Bears quickly tied it, but Newberry went on a 7-1 run to build an early lead. Moments later, the scarlet and gray went on another run, this time outscoring the Bears 9-2 for five minutes to lead 18-8 midway through the opening period.
Newberry led by as many as 13 points in the first half. Lenoir-Rhyne chipped into the lead down the stretch until Janine Ward (Tallevast, Fla.) knocked down a pair of free throws to put Newberry back up by nine with 1:34 left in the half. Neither team managed points in the final ninety seconds and Newberry took the nine-point lead into the locker room.
Newberry shot 44.0%(11-25) from the field in the first half compared to just 28.6%(8-28) for the Bears. The scarlet and gray outrebounded the Bears 21-16 as well.
Helen McKinney (Owensboro, Ky.) led all scorers at the break with 10 points. McKinney converted on a pair of three point attempts and shot a perfect 2-2 from the free-throw line as well.
Newberry quickly expanded its lead in the second thanks in part to a pair of three-pointers in the opening minute from Amy Browne (Maroochydore, Australia). Minutes later, McKinney converted on a long-range three pointer from beyond 20 feet. Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) capped off a 14-5 Newberry run seconds later with a layup in the paint.
Newberry saw its biggest lead at 24 points after a Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) layup put the scarlet and gray up 53-29 with 13:35 left to play. Lenoir-Rhyne utilized a full-court press down the stretch but the scarlet and gray had little trouble breaking it. The Bears outscored Newberry in the waning moments but couldn't overcome Newberry's lead.
Bulcher led all scorers in the affair while she recorded her ninth double-double on the season. The senior guard exploded for 19 points and 12 rebounds in the game. She scored 17 of her 19 points in the second half.
Amy Browne mustered 13 points as well as four assists in the game and shot 3-4 (.750) on three-pointers. McKinney ended the day with 13 points as well.
Newberry will embark on its longest road trip of the season next week when it travels to Harrogate, Tenn., to face Lincoln-Memorial on January 13. The Railsplitters (4-9, 2-2 SAC) have dropped eight of their last 10 games. Newberry was the victor in both editions of last season's series.
