Carson-Newman basketball teams headed to Wingate
Jan. 14, 2009
WINGATE, N.C. - The Carson-Newman basketball teams will travel to Wingate this evening for a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader at Cuddy Arena.
The women's contest will begin at 6 p.m., followed by the men's at 8 p.m. Click on the following link to listen to the live broadcast, beginning 15 minutes prior to tip-off: Basketball Broadcast/Webcast Link
The Lady Eagles (11-3, 2-1) enter the contest having won five of their last six games, including a 95-78 rout of Mars Hill in their last outing.
Wingate, who had won four straight South Atlantic Conference titles prior to last season, is 10-4 overall and 1-2 in the league. The Lady Bulldogs suffered a 76-67 loss to Catawba last Wednesday.
Both Carson-Newman and Wingate were ranked in the Top 25 earlier this season, but have since dropped out.
"This begins a very tough week for us, with the long road trip to Wingate and then a game against Tusculum on Saturday," said Carson-Newman head coach Dean Walsh. "There are no days off in this league. If you don't come redy to play, then you stand a strong chance of losing."
Wingate is led by senior point guard Anna Atkinson, who is averaging 15.6 points per game and has 94 assists in 14 contests. Freshman Kurie Washington has had an immediate impact, contributing 11.6 points per game.
Carson-Newman has also enjoyed strong guard play this season, led by local product Ashley Kyle, who was named the most recent SAC Player of the Week. She is averaging 15.1 points per game. Junior Shari Buford is posting 13.1 points and 7.1 boards per game.
The Lady Bulldogs took two of three games from Carson-Newman last year, including a 75-61 victory in the second round of the SAC Tournament.
In tonight's men's contest, Carson-Newman (5-9, 2-1) will look to win back-to-back games for the first time this season against an equally-struggling Wingate (5-9, 1-2) team.
The Eagles posted an 89-81 win over Mars Hill the last time they took the court, led by the double-double effort of junior forward Joey Cameron.
"Joey continues to be consistent," said C-N head coach Dale Clayton. "We need someone to step up around him and have a big night."
Wingate has lost six straight games, including a 97-90 decision to Catawba last Wednesday.
The Bulldogs have just one player averaging over double figures - Kenny Villines at 10.1 points per game.
"They are a very balanced team," Clayton pointed out. "They have three or four guys capable of having a big night. "Our goal is to make them become a perimeter team. We also have to limit our turnovers."
Wingate swept the season series with Carson-Newman a year ago, including a 99-89 victory the last time these two teams met.
