NEWBERRY - The Newberry College women's basketball team used a second-half comeback to get past Wingate on Saturday afternoon. Newberry (17-7, 10-4 SAC) trailed 33-26 at the half but outscored Wingate (14-11, 7-7 SAC) 42-28 in the second half to win 68-61.
Wingate started the game off on a 10-2 run over the first five minutes of the game. The scarlet and gray missed 10 shots and turned the ball over once over the run.
Newberry cut the gap to one point when Amy Browne (Maroochydore, Australia) knocked down a jumper to cut the score to 12-11 midway through the half. Helen McKinney (Owensboro, Ky.) gave Newberry its first lead with a jumper three minutes later that put the scarlet and gray up 18-16.
Wingate responded with six unanswered points and ended the half on a 15-8 run to lead 33-26 at the break.
The Bulldogs led by as many as ten with 16:38 to play but Newberry opened a 13-2 run over the next four minutes to eventually take a 42-41 lead. McKinney capped off the run with a three-pointer to give the scarlet and gray the lead. McKinney is now the Newberry College record holder for career three-point field goal conversions.
Newberry never trailed again and built a 12-point lead with less than six minutes remaining. A quick 10-3 Wingate run cut the lead to three, but Newberry only allowed the Bulldogs to score two points in the final three minutes as the scarlet and gray held on for the 68-61 victory.
Anita Bulcher (Russia, Ohio) led Newberry offensively with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Her performance earned her seventeenth double-double of the season and seventh in as many games. Her seven consecutive games with a double-double tie her for eighth place in Division II history.
McKinney added 20 for Newberry and pulled down a game-leading 16 rebounds.
Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) found her way into double digit scoring as well with 13 points. Watson also had two blocks and six rebounds.
Amy Browne played 39 minutes for Newberry and scored 10 points to become Newberry's fourth double-digit scorer. Browne also added three rebounds, three assists and a steal.
Jessica Bearzatto (Melbourne, Australia) displayed her court vision once again with a game-high six-assist performance. Bearzatto also forced two Wingate turnovers and blocked two shots.
Newberry takes to the road for its last regular-season road trip against Brevard. Newberry dominated in a 66-47 home win over Brevard on January 27. The Tornados are currently 8-17 (2-12 SAC). The game is set to tip off at 6 p.m.
