WINGATE, N.C. - - No. 16/17 Wingate used a strong inside game to claim at least a share of the regular season South Atlantic Conference Women's Basketball crown with an 83-54 win over UVA Wise inside Cuddy Arena Saturday afternoon.

LOCK DOWN DEFENSE

Wingate led 25-13 after the first 10 minutes but it was the defensive work of the Bulldogs in the second quarter that put the contest out of reach. UVA Wise was held to just two second period points in falling behind 42-15 at intermission.

For the half, the Cavaliers made just 5-of-25 field goal attempts and turned the ball over 12 times.

'DOGS TOUGH INSIDE

Wingate scored 48 of its points in the paint and enjoyed a 51-to-35 advantage on the glass. Post player Haleigh Brandon netted 13 points and grabbed 17 rebounds while fellow forward Bryanna Troutman added 13 points and nine rebounds.

MILESTONES IN DEFEAT

In the loss, junior guard Caitlyn Ross recorded the 400th assist of her career while redshirt senior Kalee Johnson moved to 10th on the school's all-time scoring list; Johnson now has 1,343 points for her career.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Freshman center Alexis Warren scored the first points of her Cavalier career while sophomore Erin Egerbrecht tallied her first points of the season.

NEXT UP

UVA Wise travels to Tusculum Wednesday for a pivotal league game. Tip schedule for 5:30 p.m. and the action can be heard live on FM 92.5 (wlsdradio.com)