NEWBERRY, S.C. - Despite a 16-point performance by junior Neicey Lewis, the Wolves were unable to overcome a slow start as the Mars Hill Lions led wire-to-wire and defeated Newberry 60-52.

Mars Hill (11-9, 4-7 South Atlantic Conference) capitalized on a rough opening half by the Wolves (12-7, 7-4) to jump out to a 10-point lead six minutes into the Wednesday evening match-up. Newberry's struggles continued as with 9:06 remaining in the half the Wolves trailed by 18 to the Lions.

Newberry cut into the Mars Hill lead on baskets by freshman Haylee Lepaio (Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia), junior Kendra Brown (Swansea, S.C.) and Lewis (Riverdale, Ga.). The Wolves narrowed the margin to 10 points, before a pair of Danielle Tucker layups in the final minute sent Mars Hill to the locker room with a 14-point lead.

Lepaio led the Wolves with nine points at halftime and five rebounds. Lewis tallied eight points and two steals at half. In the first half the Wolves were a perfect seven-for-seven from the free throw line.

The Wolves battled throughout the second half cutting the Lions lead to single digits over ten minutes into the second half. With seven minutes remaining in the game Lewis' layup put the Wolves behind by eight points.

Newberry eventually cut the Lions lead down to five with 1:02 on the clock, as Lewis corralled a rebound and drove the length of the court for a layup. The remaining minute of the game saw points scored only from the free throw line, with the Lions outscoring the Wolves 4-1 to escape with an eight-point victory.

Lewis led the Wolves with 16 points and eight rebounds. Lepaio scored 13 points and added eight boards of her own. Lewis and Brown both recorded three steals, and Brown finished the evening with 11 points.

Newberry next heads to Hickory, N.C., where they meet Lenoir-Rhyne on Saturday at 4 p.m.