NEWBERRY, S.C. - An impressive 14-steal performance by the Newberry women's basketball team and a 23-point performance by freshman Haylee Lepaio pushed the Wolves to a 67-57 victory over the visiting Anderson Trojans.
Newberry (9-4, 4-1 South Atlantic Conference) led wire-to-wire after taking a 4-2 lead on a layup by Lepaio (Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia). The Trojans (5-8, 2-3 SAC) began to eat into the Wolves early lead until sophomore Ellie Gleeson (Albury, New South Wales, Australia) came up with the Wolves first steal of the game and assisted on a Lepaio jumper on the other end of the court to give Newberry a 12-6 lead.
Newberry's lead extended to eight points just over 10 minutes into the game on a 3-point make by junior Neicey Lewis (Riverdale, Ga.) that put Newberry up 23-15. The two teams traded baskets before Lewis came up with a steal of her own and took the ball the length of the court for an uncontested layup. Lewis' steal and make put the Wolves up by 10 points with under four minutes remaining in the half. After a six-point run late in the half by the Trojans, Newberry went to the locker room at halftime with a 32-25 lead.
Lepaio led all scorers at halftime with 11 points, while Lewis added nine of her own.
The Wolves opened the second half on a 10-0 run which was capped off by another steal and fast break layup by Lewis. With an 18-point lead and 15 minutes remaining in the game Newberry allowed the Trojans to inch back into the game, before Lepaio scored on three consecutive possessions to put Newberry ahead 53-37 with 7:38 on the clock.
Anderson narrowed the deficit late, but was unable to climb within single digit points as the Wolves left Eleazer Arena with a 10-point victory.
Lepaio led all scorers with 23 and was one of three Wolves with six rebounds. Lewis tallied 11 points and six board, while senior Brittany Brown (Fort Myers, Fla.) posted a six point and six rebound game. Lewis led the Wolves on defense with four rebounds, while Gleeson wound up with two steals and a career-high five assists.
Newberry returns to Eleazer Arena on Saturday for a 2 p.m. matchup with conference opponent Carson-Newman.
