MARS HILL, N.C.- The Newberry College women's basketball team improved to 4-1 in the South Atlantic Conference after defeating Mars Hill 76-58, on Wednesday night.

Samantha Creed scored the first basket of the game with a layup off a pass from Meg Essex in the first minute. The Wolves didn't score again until the 5:46 mark when Samara Hill drained a 3-pointer to cut the Lions' lead to 9-5. Essex scored a layup two minutes later to put Newberry just two points behind Mars Hill. 

Creed gave Newberry the lead (13-12) in the last 53 seconds of the first quarter with two free throws. Hill ended the first quarter with a 3-pointer off a pass from Creed. 

Going into the second quarter Newberry had a 16-14 lead. Nicola Handreck hit a 3-pointer a little over a minute into the second period for Newberry then followed with a layup just 18 seconds later. In a span of 23 seconds (7:15-6:52) Essex scored two free throws and a layup for a 27-23 lead.

Hannah Lepaio scored her first basket of the game with 3:27 left until the halftime. Lepaio's layup helped give Newberry a 12 point lead (37-25). Creed scored Newberry's last six points off the second period off two 3-pointers for a 43-27 lead.

From the third period to the end of the game Newberry kept the lead for the 76-58 win. The Wolves scored 15 points in the third quarter with Creed leading with seven of them. Creed started the quarter off with a layup followed by Essex who made two free throws at the 8:17 mark. 

With 7:36 left, Essex scored a layup before Creed went 3-for-3 from the line. At the 3:55 mark Shelby Britten hit a a jumper to increase the lead to 56-38. With 1:16 left Creed made two free throws for the last two shots of the quarter.

Going into the fourth quarter Newberry had a 58-41 lead. Newberry didn't score until the 7:13 mark when Handreck drained a jumper. Brandi Hall kept the score in Newberry's favor with a layup with 6:48 left in the game. Kirsten Dunsmore scored her first two points of the game with a layup at the 6:08 mark.  

Emily Perry drained a 3-pointer with 2:34 left followed by a free throw from Handreck. Perry and Handreck finished the game scoring wise with a jumper and two free throws, respectively.

For the game, Creed finished with 23 points and six rebounds. Handreck finished with 14 points, six assists, five rebounds, and one steal. Essex led the team in steals with two and scored 13 points while grabbing five rebounds.

The Wolves are back at home on Saturday, Dec. 19 to play Lincoln Memorial at 2 p.m.