GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Newberry College women's basketball team fell in a heartbreaker to Tusculum in Wednesday night South Atlantic Conference action. The teams were evenly matched in every aspect of a game that came down to the wire, but a last-second layup put Tusculum on top. Newberry (16-7, 9-4 SAC) previously recaptured the lead in the final seconds but a Tusculum (15-9, 8-6 SAC) buzzer beater made the difference.
Both teams shot well in the affair but Tusculum managed a marginal advantage when all was said and done. Tusculum's game-winning buzzer beater was the only thing that separated the teams' field goal efforts as the Pioneers shot .442 (23-52) while Newberry went .431 (22-51) from the floor.
The rebounds were close as well with Tusculum pulling down 35 compared to 29 for the scarlet and gray. Newberry is now 2-6 in games when outrebounded by opponents.
Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) dominated in the first half despite being defended by the 6'8” Catherine Hintz (Hastings, Minn.). Bulcher accounted for each of Newberry's first eight points in the game.
Similarly, Jasmine Gunn (Nashville, Tenn.) scored 10 for the Pioneers in the first seven minutes in order to see Tusculum up 18-11.
Newberry then failed to produce a field goal for over seven minutes and allowed the Pioneers to open a 14-5 scoring run. Tusculum led 23-11 at the media timeout.
The scarlet and gray bounced back in the second half of the opening stanza; however, and managed to keep Tusculum off of the scoreboard for three full minutes.
Tusculum managed just one field goal in the final seven minutes of the half as Newberry closed on a 15-4 run to trail just 32-30 at the half.
Amy Browne (Maroochydore, Australia) tied the game in Newberry's first possession of the second half with a 16-foot jumper from the left side.
Helen McKinney (Owensboro, Ky.) later put up six points in less than 30 seconds on a pair of three pointers to put Newberry up 38-35. McKinney is now the career record holder for career three point conversions and is seven conversions away from the single-season record.
The teams exchanged possessions with the scarlet and gray stretching their lead as far as seven points with just over seven and half minutes remaining.
Newberry then mustered just three points in over four minutes while Tusculum dropped 14 to lead 62-56 with 3:40 showing on the clock.
Newberry eventually tied the game and took a one point lead after Bulcher converted a pair of free throws to put Newberry back up 65-64 with 36 seconds left.
Gunn took the ball off of the ensuing inbounds play and raced up the court to make a layup and give the lead back to the Pioneers.
Leeara Creet (Brisbane, Australia) drew a foul diving for a loose ball on the next possession. Creet converted her free throws as well in clutch fashion to give Newberry the 67-66 advantage with 15 seconds left.
Gunn again raced the ball up the floor for Tusculum but was met by Newberry's strong defense. Gunn's tough layup attempt rattled out and the rebound was tipped around until it was eventually tied up. The officials called for a jump ball with four tenths of a second remaining and the possession arrow favoring the Pioneers.
Kat Spears (Memphis, Tenn.) gave a bounce pass to a cutting Jasmine Parker (Rex, Ga.) who somehow managed to get a layup off before time expired. Her attempt banked off the glass and fell straight through the cylinder to end the game.
Bulcher finished the game with a career-high 35 points and 15 rebounds to complete her sixteenth double-double of the year and sixth consecutively. Her six straight games with a double-double tie her for 10th place in NCAA Division-II history. This is the second time this season Bulcher has secured that feat.
Gunn scored 35 points for Tusculum as well.
McKinney managed 11 points for the scarlet and gray while Jessica Bearzatto (Melbourne, Australia) contributed five assists.
Newberry will return home to host Wingate on Saturday, February 20. The action begins at 2 p.m. in Eleazer Arena where Newberry is 11-0 this season.
