Rachel Lods, Staff Writer
Wingate, NC- On Saturday, January 2, the Wingate University Women’s Basketball team hosted Tusculum College gaining their fourth consecutive victory. Marta Miscenko (Riga, Latvia), junior center, led the Bulldogs to victory with 16 points, followed closely by Danasia Witherspoon (Hickory, N.C.) who scored 13 points and led the game in rebounds, racking up 8 out of the 43, to help Wingate finish 77-45 over Tusculum.
Senior guard Shelby Tricoli (Waynesville, N.C.) said, “Without the influence and game changing play of Kristina Rumplasch, it would have been a much different game. She put up a lot of big baskets and fast break lay-ups coming off the bench and inspired the whole team to elevate their level of play.” Rumplasch (Mount Airy, N.C.) scored 13 points in 19 minutes after coming off the bench.
The start of the third quarter was pivotal for Wingate, coming out with a 20-2 lead over Tusculum. When asked about game-changing moments, Wingate’s head Coach Ann Hancock said, “We started a little slowly, but we got it together at the end of the second quarter. I thought our defense tightened up and we got some easy baskets to start the third to keep the momentum going.”
Wingate swept Tusculum in every statistical category with a .509-.395 field goal percentage and 1.000-.375 three-point field goal percentage. Rebounds were also a huge factor Wingate nabbing 43 while Tusculum only managing 17. Coach Hancock said, “Rebounding was key as was taking care of the ball better in the second half. Tusculum has some talented players who started the game hot. I was glad to see us fight through a rough start.”
Tricoli said, “Despite Tusculum’s record, we knew they would come in and put up a fight and our coach was proud we took care of business.”
Edited by: Brea Childs
Wingate Triangle 