LADY EAGLES TOP BULLDOGS 56-50 ON SENIOR DAY

Carson-Newman says goodbye to Nikki James, Courdne Miles, Whitney Moody

The Carson-Newman Lady Eagles basketball team (15-10, 9-9 South Atlantic Conference) defeated the Wingate Bulldogs (13-15, 7-11 South Atlantic Conference) on Senior Day and Parents Day at Holt Fieldhouse on Saturday afternoon.

The Lady Eagles overcame a season-low 17 points in the first half to outscore the Bulldogs 39-24 in the second half to send out seniors Nikki James (Cookeville, Tenn.), Courdne Miles (Burlington, N.C.) and Whitney Moody (Blountville, Tenn.) out with a victory in their final time at Holt Fieldhouse.

“It felt good, last home game to get a win,” said James, who has now scored in double-figures in each of the past six games. “It was a good way to end the regular season, especially on Senior Night so it was a good win.”

Shyra Clark (Cleveland, Tenn.) led Carson-Newman in scoring with 14 points off the bench, with James and Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.) joining her in double-figures as both players scored 12 points in the Carson-Newman six point win.

Wingate burst out to a 12-2 lead over Carson-Newman in the first seven minutes of the game. The Lady Eagles would bounce back to cut the lead to as small as five in the first half, yet Wingate thanks to a 45.8 shooting percentage in the first half took a 26-17 lead into the locker room.

After Carson-Newman marched back to cut Wingate’s lead to 33-25, the next great Lady Eagle run began. The Lady Eagles went on an 11-0 run to grab the lead, with a layup from Chante’ Markus (Hummelstown, Pa.) giving Carson-Newman a 34-33 lead with 15 minutes left to play. The Bulldogs would tie the game at 36 before Carson-Newman’s next run propelled the Lady Eagles to victory.

The Lady Eagles shot 53.8 percent from the field in the second half, with Burstrom providing a second half surge. She scored all 12 of her points in the final 20 minutes, helped by a pair of three-pointers.

Wingate was led in scoring by Chantal Dunbar as she posted a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds. She was joined in double figures by Janitsha Williams (13) and Morgan McGee (11).

The Lady Eagles will now await their seeding from the South Atlantic Conference for the 2013 Food Lion SAC Women’s Basketball Tournament, with the first round game on Wednesday. The Lady Eagles will likely play that quarterfinal game on the road. More details and a full bracket will be announced later this weekend by the SAC and will be made available on www.cneagles.com.