Box Score
Mars Hill, N.C.----Wingate University junior guard
CC Brooks (Mount Holly, N.C.) hit the game-winning three-point field goal with 37 seconds remaining to lead the Bulldogs to a 68-65 South Atlantic Conference women’s basketball victory over Mars Hill College in Stanford Arena.
With the victory, Wingate improves to 10-7 overall and 3-3 in the SAC. Mars Hill falls to 4-13 overall and 1-5 in the SAC. The Bulldogs host Tusculum College Saturday at 2 p.m. The MHC Lions hit the road Saturday, visiting Lincoln Memorial University for a 2 p.m. contest.
Brooks hit two huge three-point field goals in the second half. She led the visitors with 17 points. Brooks made seven-of-nine field goals and added six assists, four rebounds, two steals and one blocked shot to her ledger Wednesday. Sophomore guard
Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) had 16 points, while junior forward
Stefani Shuey (Charlotte, N.C.) contributed 11 points. The Wingate bench outscored the Mars Hill reserves 47-12.
Mars Hill sophomore forward
Taylor Deal (Catawba, N.C.) had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Lions. Junior guard
Brittini Young (Ramseur, N.C.) added 14 points, while sophomore
Margaret Harvey (Greensboro, N.C.) posted 13 points and seven boards for the hosts.
A Washington jumper put Wingate up 41-33 with 17:43 remaining in the contest. Wingate led 61-54 on another Washington hoop at the 5:13 mark. Mars Hill made a 7-0 run to tie the game 61-61 on a Young lay-up with 2:21 to play.
Brooks hit the first of her triples on the next trip down the court to put Wingate up 64-61. Young hit two free throws to cut the deficit to one at the 1:37 plateau. After the Bulldogs missed a three-pointer, Mars Hill went miss-miss-make to take its first lead of the second half. Deal did the honors, scoring on a put-back to give the Lions a 65-64 advantage with 54 seconds to go.
Washington found Brooks for the game-winning three-pointer on the next possession. An East Gaston product, Brooks had made only one-of-six triples prior to Wednesday night. After Mars Hill missed two inside hoops, the Lions fouled Brooks on the rebound. She hit one-of-two with 13 seconds left to settle the final margin. Young missed a potential game-tying trifecta in the waning moments.
Wingate shot 52.7 percent from the floor Wednesday, hitting 29-of-55 attempts. The Bulldogs attempted only 11 free throws, draining seven (63.6 percent). Wingate had 19 assists, with Brooks topping the charts with six helpers. Freshman guard
Britney Mitchell (Indian Trail, N.C.) contributed three dimes. Wingate won the rebounding battle 39-36.
Mars Hill made 37.3 percent of its field goals, converting 25-of-67 tries. The Lions shot 58.8 percent from the charity stripe, hitting 10-of-17 free throws. Mars Hill was not shy, hoisting 22 three-point field goals. The Lions hit five triples for a 22.7 percent conversion rate.