NEWBERRY – The Newberry Wolves (6-0, 2-0) defeated the Wingate Bulldogs by a final of 72-63 as they moved to 5-0 at Eleazer Arena this season.

A late three from Shelby Britten put Newberry up six with just under a minute to play as the Wolves hit their next five free throws to seal their first 6-0 start under head coach Sean Page.

The Bulldogs went on a 13-0 run midway through the third quarter to pull with in one of Newberry. Both teams matched each other shot for shot, but the Wolves 50 percent second half shooting to Wingate’s 41.2 percent, was the deciding factor.

Nicola Handreck played all 40 minutes en route to a season high 20-point night, which led all scorers in the contest. The junior guard added six boards and dished out five assists.

“Very good team win for us. Those kind of games and having to battle back through those situations are going to be very valuable to us in late January and February when we really need to win games,” said Newberry head coach Sean Page.

Sophomore Meg Essex tied a career high registering seven blocks, including a highlight reel one-handed swipe of Danasia Witherspoon’s layup in the final minutes. Essex finished the night with 16 points and an additional eight rebounds.

Essex held Wingate’s Marta Miscenko to seven points in a 3 for 17 shooting effort despite Miscenko’s 18.8 points per game average coming into the day. Witherspoon led the Bulldogs tallying a double-double with 21 points and 12 rebounds.

Britten’s 18 points put at least three Newberry starters in double figures for the sixth time this season. The 18 points from the sophomore guard from Shepparton, Australia, notched a season high topping the 17 she scored in two games earlier this year.

Hannah Lepaio’s 21 minutes off the bench also provided a new season high in an eight-point effort. Kelsey McDermott’s 25 minutes off the bench provided some athleticism for the Wolves as the freshman also posted a new season high in points with five. McDermott added an additional four rebounds for Newberry.

“We got contributions out of everybody tonight,” added Page. “It’s just part of the process in terms of the team growing and getting in these situations. I think a game like this getting tested and challenged against a good quality team, it’s good to see them grow a little bit in front of your eyes.”

Newberry will continue South Atlantic Conference play as they host Carson-Newman this Saturday at Eleazer Arena. The Wolves and Eagles will tip-off at 2:00 p.m.