Newberry, S.C. - The Newberry Women's basketball team secured their fifth-straight home victory today as they edged past the Pioneers of Tusculum by a final score of 52-45. With the win, Newberry improves to 8-13 overall (8-10 SAC) and 6-4 in their last 10 games. Tusculum drops to 7-14 overall (5-12 SAC). Newberry avenges their early season loss to Tusculum that came on December 15th.
ON THE RECORD
"That team [Tusculum] has been holding teams way under their average all year. They're incredible defensively. We did a great job of getting it to our post and taking advantage of that inside." - Head Coach
Joanna Tincher
RECAP
Two Wolves scored in double-figure led by Courtney Virgo tallying 18 points on 54-percent (6-11) shooting from the field and an impressive 57-percent (4-7) shooting from downtown. The Australia native also added eight rebounds to her stat line. Ericka Wiseley was nearly unstoppable in the paint today, pitching in 17 points on 77-percent from the field, and four rebounds.
Giulia Bongiorno also grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds with six points and two assists on the day.
Virgo opened the game's scoring with a deep three on an assist from Wiseley. Tusculum answered that three with back to back drive-in layups from Mya Belton. Both teams traded baskets with the Pioneers ending the first quarter with a one-point advantage, 12-11.
Tusculum's Jordan Rogers scored the Pioneers first points of the second on a heavily contested elbow jumper to put her club up by three (14-11). Ella Pearson (Suffolk, England) answered that jumper with a deep three-pointer to even the contest at 14-14. Jordan Rogers would score five second quarter points to send her team into the locker room with the momentum and a narrow two-point lead (24-22).
Virgo and Wisely came out of the break with new life by combining for 13 of Newberry's 17 third quarter points. The Wolves outscored the Pioneers, 17-11, in the third to head into the fourth with a four point lead (39-35).
Newberry held Tusculum to just 10 fourth quarter points which would be their lowest scoring quarter of the day. Bongiorno and Mylaysia Gates would both sink late fourth quarter free throws to help the Wolves secure their, 52-45, victory over the Pioneers.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Newberry Women's basketball hits the road for another conference matchup as they take on cross-state rival Anderson University on Wednesday (Feb. 9). Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. inside Abney Athletic Center.
