Lions fall late on road to Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (2-10, 0-6 SAC) was felled late versus Wingate (10-3, 4-2 SAC) on the road, 64-48, Saturday afternoon.

The Lions jumped out to a 6-2 lead in the first 5:28 of the contest with Alexis Pardue recording four points int the run.  With just over two minutes remaining in the frame, the Bulldogs stormed back to take the lead, 8-7, however, Mars Hill responded with a 4-0 run to end the first up 11-8 over Wingate.

The teams traded baskets back and forth until the 6:47 mark where a three-pointer from Hannah Clark tied the game at 16 for Wingate.  Following a Bulldogs' jumper to give them the lead, a three-pointer moments later from Tatum Boggs regained the Lions' lead, going up 19-18 with 5:08 to play in the half.  A Wingate 7-0 run late in the frame gave them a six-point lead, one that would remain until the finall 22 seconds when a Pardue layup cut the deficit to four before the end of the half.

Both teams recorded 15 points apiece in the third quarter with Wingate maintaining the four-point advantage.  Elana Ingram led all players with seven points in the third while Pardue recorded five for the Lions.

Clark dictated play in the final stanza for the Bulldogs, recording 15 of the team's 22 points in the final 10 minutes of play.  Following two made free throws from Selby Baughman, Wingate reeled off eight of the next 10 points to extend their lead to eight and in the final five minutes of play, Wingate closed out the contest on a 10-0 run. The Bulldogs shot 69 percent from the floor to outscore Mars Hill 22-10 and secure the win. 

De'Ja Marshall led the Lions with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and three assists.  Pardue ended the contest with 13 points and six rebounds.  Clark led all players with 21 points while Destiny Coleman collected a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Mars Hill returns home on Wednesday, January 8 when they host Tusculum inside Stanford Arena.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.