March 27, 2007

JEFFERSON CITY, TN-- Shari Buford scored a career high 22 points, but Newberry outscored Carson-Newman 14-8 in the overtime period to hand the Lady Eagles their second straight loss, 79-73, in South Atlantic Conference play.

Carson-Newman (16-4, 6-3 SAC) shot 56% from the floor in the first half, but only made two three-pointers in trailing 35-34 at the break. Midway through the second half, Stefanie Holbrook's jumper gave C-N a four-point lead, but Newberry (18-2, 7-2 SAC) tied the game at 57-57 with a little more than six minutes remaining. The lead changed hands four times down the stretch, but Ashley Tipton gave the Lady Eagles the lead at 65-62 with 1:02 remaining on a pair of free throws. Newberry's Monica Alexander broke down the C-N defense, made the layup, and completed the three-point play with a free throw to tie the game at 65-65. C-N and Newberry traded turnovers, but both teams couldn't score the winning basket to end regulation tied.

In overtime, Newberry's Ashlee Wright scored the first four points to give the Lady Indians a 69-65 lead. Shari Buford and Ashley Tipton hit consecutive jumpers to get within two points at 71-69, but Newberry pulled away with five-of-five free throws in the final 26 seconds to earn the six-point victory.

Buford posted a double-double with 14 rebounds to go along with her 22 points. Tipton added 15 points and Cassie Burks chipped in 14 points. Newberry's Tonique Frasier scored 26 points to lead all scorers while Alexander added 20 and Wright contributed 19 points.

The Lady Eagles return to action at Mars Hill on Wednesday, February 7 at 6:00 p.m.