Harrogate, TN—In a hard-fought matchup, the Wolves was unable to overcome a late surge from the Railsplitters, falling 62-53. The loss came despite a strong defensive performance and a promising second-half effort. Here's how the game played out, quarter by quarter:
First Quarter:
From the opening tip, it was clear this would be a competitive contest. Both teams traded baskets early, with neither squad able to establish a significant lead. Newberry found success in the paint, with key contributions from
Ella Pearson,
Julia Paoletta,
Jess Tomkins, MaryKate Kent, and
Daria Clet. Lincoln Memorial answered back, scoring effectively in the paint and hitting crucial free throws. The game remained tight as both teams went back and forth, but Newberry responded with a pair of three-pointers from
Caylin Moment and
Hannah Nimmo. The quarter ended with Lincoln Memorial holding a slim 18-16 lead.
Second Quarter:
In the second quarter, Lincoln Memorial began to build on their earlier lead. Offensively, the Railsplitters capitalized on multiple trips to the free-throw line, as well as points from beyond the arc. Newberry refused to back down, with Paoletta and
Gabreyel Cook each hitting crucial free throws, going 4-for-4 from the line. By halftime, Newberry trailed 24-32.
Third Quarter:
Coming out of halftime, Newberry showed resilience and mounted a strong comeback. The team's defense locked in, limiting Lincoln Memorial's offensive opportunities. Offensively, Newberry made key shots in the paint and hit several three-pointers to close out the period. The defense also stepped up, forcing the Railsplitters into difficult shots and limiting fast-break chances. By the end of the third quarter, Newberry had trimmed the deficit to just 41-44, setting up a tense final period.
Fourth Quarter:
In the final period, Newberry fought to complete the comeback, but Lincoln Memorial was able to respond. The Railsplitters extended their lead early on with a three-pointer; however, Moment closed the gap with a layup. Tomkins then followed with another layup, cutting the lead to one and giving Newberry a 46-47 advantage. However, Lincoln Memorial responded with timely baskets and free throws. In the final seconds, the Railsplitters sealed the win with free throws, finishing 62-53.
Despite a strong push in the second half, Newberry couldn't overcome Lincoln Memorial's late execution, falling 53-62. This result leaves Newberry with a 2-4 overall record (0-0 in conference). The Wolves will play Tusculum University on November 26 in a 12 p.m. matchup.