Bulldogs outhustle Indians, 75-59

By Kristina Lawless
Staff Writer

In Cuddy Arena tonight, the Wingate University Bulldogs’ women’s basketball team (12-9, 5-5 South Atlantic Conference) defeated the Indians of Catawba (13-7, 6-3 SAC) 75-59. Almost one month after a 59-64 loss at Catawba.

“The game plan worked really well tonight, except from the eight minute to the five minute mark,” head coach Barbara Nelson said. With 8:48 left on the game clock the Bulldogs had a 25 point lead. Over a four minute span the Indians scored 10 points brining the score to 66-51. The Bulldogs call a time out with 4:57 left in the game. Despite the Indians’ scoring run the Bulldogs never let the lead slip below 14 points in the second half.

“Our shooting was much better,” said Nelson. Sophomore, Kurie Washington, 24 points, along with seniors Stacie Rhodes, 14 points, and Sarah Rosser, 11 points, led the Bulldogs in scoring. “We have been concentrating on shooting during practice. My shots ended up falling in tonight and I was able to find the rim,” said Rosser. The Indians’, Milica Ivanovic would not be out done and shot 50 percent from behind the arc. At the 6:10 mark, Rosser scored a shot from behind the arc and seemed to change the feel of the game.

The Bulldogs also had the advantage on the boards, out rebounding the Indians 55-33. Almost every Bulldog had a rebound with freshmen Trish Logan and Sarah Wollett, as well as Rohdes leading the way with eight. “Dominating. Everybody was rebounding,” said Nelson. The Indians’ Dana Hicks had 15 rebounds.

After Catawba scored the first points of the game the Bulldogs claimed the lead and allowed the score to be tied only four times, all of which were in the first half. With 8:59 left in the first half the Bulldogs took the lead and held it for the rest of the game. “We needed to continue doing what we were going. They had to adjust to us. Last year at half time we had a ten point lead and we lost,” said Nelson.

The seniors have had a different color nail polish on for each game during the season. “Its changes each time, Stacie and I have not worn the same color twice,” said Rosser, “we came to play today. It’s our court, our house.”

The Bulldogs and their colorful nails will next take on Tusculum February 10 in Greenville, Ten.