WINGATE, N.C. - A 13-point performance for freshman Zara Pearson was not enough as the Wolves fell to the pressure defense of the Wingate Bulldogs 69-58 inside Cuddy Arena on the Wingate University campus.
Wingate (10-5, 4-3 South Atlantic Conference) jumped out to an early lead, as the Bulldogs and Wolves (10-5, 5-2 SAC) exchanged baskets for much of the opening ten minutes. With 12:56 remaining in the first half Wingate took a five point lead on a 3-point make by Janitsha Williams. After a 30-second timeout by Newberry, senior Keisha Henderson (Columbia, S.C.) hit a 3-pointer of her own to pull the Wolves back within two.
The two-point margin did not last long as the Bulldogs went on a 10-3 run to take a nine-point lead, before Pearson (Echuca, Victoria, Australia) hit another 3-pointer with 2:22 on the clock to pull the Wolves within six. The Wolves and Bulldogs again traded baskets, before the Wolves finished out the half on a 3-0 run with a Pearson jumper and a pair of made free throws by Henderson.
The first half offered proof as to why both Wingate and Newbery are in the top four in the conference in steals per game as Newberry finished the half with six and Wingate walked away with five.
Henderson led the Wolves with nine points and five rebounds in the first half.
Wingate opened the second half strong with an 11-4 run that put the Bulldogs up by nine with 16:53 remaining in the game. Newberry temporarily cut into the lead before a Nikki Burton jumper gave Wingate a 12 point lead five minutes into the half.
A pair of made free throws by junior Neicey Lewis (Riverdale, Ga.) brought the Wolves back within four points with 8:46 remaining in the game. The four point margin was the smallest of the final ten minutes of the game. The Bulldogs continued to control the half and extended their lead to 11 points on three occasions before the horn sounded and clinched the Wingate victory.
Pearson led the Wolves with a career high 13 points, while sophomore Ellie Gleeson (Albury, New South Wales, Australia) tallied a career high nine rebounds. Henderson finished tied for a career best with 12 points and equaled her season high with five assists.
Newberry remains on the road for its next game when the Wolves travel to Catawba for a 2 p.m. meeting on Saturday.
