By Steven Grandy
Sports Editor
Coming off of three straight losses, the Wingate men’s basketball team came in to Wednesday’s game against Lenoir-Rhyne needing a win to have a .500 record at the halfway point of the South Atlantic Conference slate. The Bulldogs got what they needed, pulling out a 70-60 win over the Bears to improve their conference record to 4-4 and 11-8 overall.
“It was great to get one,” said head coach Brian Good. “We needed to stop the bleeding after the last few games. We played hard in those but were unable to win. Tonight, we did what we needed to do to get the victory.”
Wingate jumped out to an early lead thanks to a series of three pointers by Jamie Vaughn, Paidrick Matilus and Chase Smith at with 11:31 to go in the first half, but Lenoir-Rhyne (3-15, 1-7) came charging back. The Bears mounted a comeback to take a five point lead with 4:49 remaining in the half, but Wingate took a 38-34 lead into halftime following a Smith three pointer with four seconds remaining. The Bulldogs and Bears exchanged the lead eight times and were tied five times in the opening half, with the largest lead by either team being five points.
The early stages of the second half played out the same way as the first, with neither team being able to open up a large lead. Wingate took the lead for the rest of the contest when freshman center Odell Turner made a shot with 18:17 on the clock. The Bulldogs seized control of the game when Vaughn hit a series of three- point shots at the 12:18, 10:49 and 9:32 marks of the half. Vaughn’s last three -pointer was a turning point in the game, as he was fouled while shooting. Vaughn made the free throw to complete the four point play, giving the Bulldogs a lead that would not go under seven points for the rest of the game.
Vaughn and Lenior-Rhyne forward D.J. Blackmon led all players with 22 points each.
Turner was the second highest scorer for the Bulldogs, contributing 16 points to the winning cause. Many of Turner’s points came due to a size mismatch against the Bears defense. “I played against a smaller man,” said the 6’6’’ Turner. “I was able to use my height as an advantage and shot over him,” said Turner.
For Good, the beginning of the second half of conference play is almost like beginning a new season. “We are back at square one,” said Good. “We won a few games that I didn’t think we would win as well as let a few games slip away that I thought we could have won. I think it is a product of having a young team, but I’m getting tired of saying that. We have played nearly 20 games already.”
The Bulldogs will travel to Harrogate, Tenn. on Saturday to play Lincoln Memorial University. Tipoff is scheduled for 8 p.m.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Bulldogs shake off frustrating start
By Kristina Lawless
Staff Writer
The Wingate University Bulldogs (11-8, 4-4 SAC) pulled out a much need win over the Lenior-Rhyne Bears (3-15, 1-7 SAC) tonight in Cuddy Arena. The Bulldogs won 70-60. This won stopped a losing trend having lost three in a row. “Nothing was wrong with the team, we did not have injuries, we were just not winning,” said head coach Brian Goode.
The Bulldogs seemed to get off to a shaky start taking almost five minutes to score in double digits. In the end three Bulldogs; Larry Staley, Odell Turner, and Jaime Vaughn, scored in double figures. “As I told some of the guys, I guarantee a win. We had to win no ifs, ands, or buts,” Senior forward Larry Staley said.
The frustration in the first half seemed evident on the bench on both the players’ and coaches’ faces. “We had to come out and play strong, play hard,” said Staley. Play the Bulldogs did. The Bulldogs turned the ball over only 14 times compared to 18 turnovers committed by the Bears.
The game took a definite positive turn when the Bears’ freshmen center, Matt Kunz fouled Sophomore Jamie Vaughn on a three point shot. The crowd was reenergized by Vaughn’s four point play. In the second half the Bulldogs were tied with the Bears only once and never lost the lead.
“However you play the first minute is how you will play the last,” said Staley.
The Bulldogs are again in action Saturday against SAC rivals Lincoln Memorial University.
Staff Writer
The Wingate University Bulldogs (11-8, 4-4 SAC) pulled out a much need win over the Lenior-Rhyne Bears (3-15, 1-7 SAC) tonight in Cuddy Arena. The Bulldogs won 70-60. This won stopped a losing trend having lost three in a row. “Nothing was wrong with the team, we did not have injuries, we were just not winning,” said head coach Brian Goode.
The Bulldogs seemed to get off to a shaky start taking almost five minutes to score in double digits. In the end three Bulldogs; Larry Staley, Odell Turner, and Jaime Vaughn, scored in double figures. “As I told some of the guys, I guarantee a win. We had to win no ifs, ands, or buts,” Senior forward Larry Staley said.
The frustration in the first half seemed evident on the bench on both the players’ and coaches’ faces. “We had to come out and play strong, play hard,” said Staley. Play the Bulldogs did. The Bulldogs turned the ball over only 14 times compared to 18 turnovers committed by the Bears.
The game took a definite positive turn when the Bears’ freshmen center, Matt Kunz fouled Sophomore Jamie Vaughn on a three point shot. The crowd was reenergized by Vaughn’s four point play. In the second half the Bulldogs were tied with the Bears only once and never lost the lead.
“However you play the first minute is how you will play the last,” said Staley.
The Bulldogs are again in action Saturday against SAC rivals Lincoln Memorial University.
Women's basketball game notes vs. Lenoir-Rhyne
By Dusty White
Staff Writer
The Bulldogs shot an impressive 28-of-32 from the foul line, equaling 87.5% which was the teams highest of this season.
The team overcame a devastating 13-point deficit in the first half to head in at halftime with a two point lead.
Two players from Lenoir-Rhyne, senior guards Brittany Mitch and Jami Safrit, let their emotions get the best of them in the first half. The two were called for technical fouls for arguing with the officials.
This South Atlantic Conference game displayed both teams playing very physical, with 42 total fouls called. The Bulldogs were called for 18 fouls while the Bears were called for 24.
This was Kurie Washington’s first game this season coming off the bench, previously starting all 17 contests. Coach Barbara Nelson added this was a “coach’s decision, however her play off the bench was outstanding.” Not receiving the start didn’t seem to bother her confidence by any means, scoring a team high 24 points.
Wingate freshman guard Britney Mitchell, who scored 12 points off the bench in the 67-60 loss to Tusculum on Saturday, made her third start of the season tonight.
Head basketball coach Barbara Nelson and her coaching staff coached the game barefoot to support the Soles4Souls campaign to help raise awareness for the need for supplies in Haiti.
Staff Writer
The Bulldogs shot an impressive 28-of-32 from the foul line, equaling 87.5% which was the teams highest of this season.
The team overcame a devastating 13-point deficit in the first half to head in at halftime with a two point lead.
Two players from Lenoir-Rhyne, senior guards Brittany Mitch and Jami Safrit, let their emotions get the best of them in the first half. The two were called for technical fouls for arguing with the officials.
This South Atlantic Conference game displayed both teams playing very physical, with 42 total fouls called. The Bulldogs were called for 18 fouls while the Bears were called for 24.
This was Kurie Washington’s first game this season coming off the bench, previously starting all 17 contests. Coach Barbara Nelson added this was a “coach’s decision, however her play off the bench was outstanding.” Not receiving the start didn’t seem to bother her confidence by any means, scoring a team high 24 points.
Wingate freshman guard Britney Mitchell, who scored 12 points off the bench in the 67-60 loss to Tusculum on Saturday, made her third start of the season tonight.
Head basketball coach Barbara Nelson and her coaching staff coached the game barefoot to support the Soles4Souls campaign to help raise awareness for the need for supplies in Haiti.
Wingate 73, Lenoir-Rhyne 70 1/27/10
Wingate's C.C. Brooks drives into a crowd of Lenoir-Rhyne defenders in action from Wednesday night's women's game at Cuddy Arena. 
Freshman guard Sarah Wollett, 12, looks for an opening in the L-R defense. Also shown is Wingate's Tish Logan, 20. (Staff photos by Dusty White)
After loss at Tusculum, women’s basketball team rallies to beat Lenoir-Rhyne
By Allison Smith
Staff Writer
The Wingate Women’s basketball team defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 73-70 in Cuddy Arena tonight. The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears opened the game with the first score off of a Wingate foul. The Bears gradually increased their score on four almost back to back layups by sophomore guard Cameron Sealey, senior center Denise Moore, and senior guard Amber Holt. The Bears increased their lead to 13 points at 7:16 left in the half until Wingate went on a three minute unanswered run. The run was lead by a baseline jumper by sophomore guard/forward Kurie Washington, four additional points by freshman forward Tish Logan and two sunk free throws for junior forward CC Brooks to cut the Bears lead to 23-20 with 3:10 remaining in the half. The Bulldogs pushed forward using a Lenoir-Rhyne technical to their advantage tying the game 26-26 with 12 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs entered the locker room at the half with a two point lead 28-26.
The second half started off similar to the first with Lenoir-Rhyne jumping ahead on a 10-0 lead that was not broken until freshman guard Sarah Wollett shot her one for two free throws at 17:08, changing the score to 36-29 Lenoir-Rhyne. The bulldogs however, showed great resilience in the second half by challenging the Lenoir-Rhyne lead and fighting all the way at 12:05 when senior forward Erica Crumlin’s foul shots allowed Wingate to take the lead 43-42. Lenoir-Rhyne took the lead right back from the bulldogs and kept the lead until 2:41 left in the second half when Wingate regained its second lead for the night. Wingate did not lose the lead for the rest of the game. Washington increased the lead to 73-67 off of two free throws with 9.8 seconds remaining. Senior guard Jami Safrit for Lenoir-Rhyne sunk a three with 2.8 seconds remaining in the game but the Wingate bulldogs were too far ahead of the bears and ended the game with a 73-70 win.
The dual between the bulldogs and the bears was both physical and intense. Both teams came into the game with high stakes. Lenoir Rhyne was tied for first place in the South Atlantic Conference and the bulldogs were ready to ruin their run for first. Both teams accumulated many fouls and trips to the free throw line. Lenoir-Rhyne had a technical at 9:07 in the first half, committed by senior guard Brittany Mitch and again at 31.9 seconds remaining in the first half by Safrit. When asked about the physicality of the game, Coach Barbara Nelson said “I think people think they can bully us but we can bully right back.”
Senior center Stacie Rhodes and Washington had outstanding performances for the bulldogs. Rhodes contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks and Washington had 24 points. When asked about the win Rhodes said, “It was a huge win and the team really came together tonight.” Rhodes also stated that she was proud of her team for their resilience and perseverance in the second half. “It was a game of runs and we came creeping up at the end. The second half would go up and down but at the end we made the huge plays to win.”
Coach Nelson said after the game that she was very impressed with her team tonight. “We showed maturity and composure. Stacie stepped up as a leader and the freshmen are really growing up.” Nelson and the bulldogs hope to fuel their winnings through the defeat of Lenoir-Rhyne tonight and carry it over to Saturday’s game at Lincoln Memorial.
Staff Writer
The Wingate Women’s basketball team defeated Lenoir-Rhyne 73-70 in Cuddy Arena tonight. The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears opened the game with the first score off of a Wingate foul. The Bears gradually increased their score on four almost back to back layups by sophomore guard Cameron Sealey, senior center Denise Moore, and senior guard Amber Holt. The Bears increased their lead to 13 points at 7:16 left in the half until Wingate went on a three minute unanswered run. The run was lead by a baseline jumper by sophomore guard/forward Kurie Washington, four additional points by freshman forward Tish Logan and two sunk free throws for junior forward CC Brooks to cut the Bears lead to 23-20 with 3:10 remaining in the half. The Bulldogs pushed forward using a Lenoir-Rhyne technical to their advantage tying the game 26-26 with 12 seconds remaining. The Bulldogs entered the locker room at the half with a two point lead 28-26.
The second half started off similar to the first with Lenoir-Rhyne jumping ahead on a 10-0 lead that was not broken until freshman guard Sarah Wollett shot her one for two free throws at 17:08, changing the score to 36-29 Lenoir-Rhyne. The bulldogs however, showed great resilience in the second half by challenging the Lenoir-Rhyne lead and fighting all the way at 12:05 when senior forward Erica Crumlin’s foul shots allowed Wingate to take the lead 43-42. Lenoir-Rhyne took the lead right back from the bulldogs and kept the lead until 2:41 left in the second half when Wingate regained its second lead for the night. Wingate did not lose the lead for the rest of the game. Washington increased the lead to 73-67 off of two free throws with 9.8 seconds remaining. Senior guard Jami Safrit for Lenoir-Rhyne sunk a three with 2.8 seconds remaining in the game but the Wingate bulldogs were too far ahead of the bears and ended the game with a 73-70 win.
The dual between the bulldogs and the bears was both physical and intense. Both teams came into the game with high stakes. Lenoir Rhyne was tied for first place in the South Atlantic Conference and the bulldogs were ready to ruin their run for first. Both teams accumulated many fouls and trips to the free throw line. Lenoir-Rhyne had a technical at 9:07 in the first half, committed by senior guard Brittany Mitch and again at 31.9 seconds remaining in the first half by Safrit. When asked about the physicality of the game, Coach Barbara Nelson said “I think people think they can bully us but we can bully right back.”
Senior center Stacie Rhodes and Washington had outstanding performances for the bulldogs. Rhodes contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks and Washington had 24 points. When asked about the win Rhodes said, “It was a huge win and the team really came together tonight.” Rhodes also stated that she was proud of her team for their resilience and perseverance in the second half. “It was a game of runs and we came creeping up at the end. The second half would go up and down but at the end we made the huge plays to win.”
Coach Nelson said after the game that she was very impressed with her team tonight. “We showed maturity and composure. Stacie stepped up as a leader and the freshmen are really growing up.” Nelson and the bulldogs hope to fuel their winnings through the defeat of Lenoir-Rhyne tonight and carry it over to Saturday’s game at Lincoln Memorial.
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