Wednesday, February 13, 2008

TUSCULUM SECURES 20-WIN SEASON,

PIONEERS BEAT WINGATE 92-79 IN CLASH OF SAC LEADERS

GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Stephany Neptune recorded 12 points and school-singe game record 23 rebounds to lead the Tusculum College women’s basketball team to a 92-79 win over Wingate University Wednesday night at Pioneer Arena. The Pioneers take over sole possession of first place in the South Atlantic Conference while ending an 11-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. The victory also secured Tusculum its first 20-win season in over a decade.

Shantae Shank accounted for her first career double-double with 21 points and a career-high 12 rebounds. Ashli Oliver, the reigning SAC Player of the Week, added 21 points, including her five 3-pointers. Rookie Jasmine Gunn added 20 points and four assists as TC extends its winning streak to five in a row.

Neptune also blocked a career-best six shots, tying Tusculum’s single-game record in that category.

Wingate senior guard/forward Kasey Gillis led the Bulldogs with 20 points, while Anna Atkinson added 17 points and nine assists. Sophomore center Erica Crumlin chipped in with 12 points, seven rebounds and seven blocked shots. Senior guard Kate Edwards added 10 points for Wingate.

The Bulldogs controlled the first half, taking a 35-22 lead on a jumper by freshman forward Jessy Keitt with 4:35 remaining in the half. Tusculum ended the half on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to 37-32 at intermission. During the run Brittni Oliver tallied a three-pointer while Shank went 4-for-4 from the free throw line.

The Pioneers would grab the lead in the second half, scoring the first seven points of the second half to take its first lead of the evening at 39-37 with 19:01 remaining following a three-pointer by Ashli Oliver.

With the scored tied at 58-58, Tusculum erupted for an 11-0 run as the Pioneers led 69-58 as Oliver answered with another trey. TC followed with a 12-3 spurt to put the game away as the Pioneers led 83-65 with 3:53 remaining following a coast-to-coast lay-up by Jasmine Parker.

Oliver at the 9:27 mark pushed the lead to 11. A lay-up from Shank made it 79-62 with 6:44 remaining. The lead would not go below 12 the rest of the way.

After shooting just 23.5 percent in the first half, Tusculum fired 57.9 percent in the second half. For the game, the Pioneers were 30-of-72 (41.7 percent) from the field. Wingate shot 41 percent (34-of-83) from the field. Tusculum held a decisive 59-39 rebounding advantage, while holding a 23-10 edge in second-chance points.

Tusculum will travel to Carson-Newman on Saturday for a 6 p.m. contest.

- TC -