Bulldogs Outpace Lions for Victory

WINGATE, N.C. – The Mars Hill women's basketball team lost 80-66 to Wingate in South Atlantic Conference action at Cuddy Arena on Saturday. With the win, Wingate improves to 15-3 overall and 11-3 in league play. Mars Hill drops to 4-13 overall and 3-11 in the conference.

Cadence Wilmoth scored a career high 15 points to lead the Lions. Reigning South Atlantic Conference Player of the Week Ansley Ricker added 13 points for Mars Hill.

Kayla Harris scored a game high 22 to lead Wingate. Shelby Tricoli and Janitsha Williams scored 14 points each, with Morgan McGee adding 12 points and Sharee Boyd with 10.

Wingate got on the board first thanks to a Tricoli jumper before the Lions pulled ahead to an 8-4 lead with 16:16 to go in the half. Wingate battled back and retook the lead, 15-13, with 11:57 remaining. Mars Hill cut the lead to one, 17-16, thanks to an old fashioned three point play by Wilmoth and regained the advantage, 21-19, on a Paige Chavis layup. The Lions led until Tricoli sank a 3-pointer with 3:07 remaining in the half, giving Wingate a 30-29 lead. The Bulldogs took a 35-34 lead into halftime.

A 3-pointer from Stevens gave Mars Hill a 37-35 lead before a Tricoli 3-pointer gave Wingate a 38-37 lead. Mars Hill tied the game at 38 on a Ward free throw with 17:26 to play. Wingate pulled back ahead on a Williams 3-pointer before a Ricker layup trimmed the Bulldog lead to one, 41-40.

Wingate went on a 12-4 run to take a 53-44 lead at the midpoint of the half. The Bulldogs extended their lead to a game-high 15 points, 65-50, with 6:57 to play. Mars Hill got to within seven points, 71-64, after Ricker sank a pair of free throws with 2:33 left, but Wingate outscored the Lions 9-1 down the stretch to secure the win.

Mars Hill returns to Stanford Arena on Wednesday night, welcoming Brevard for a 6 p.m. start.