Newberry Leaps Past Lions, 98-85

NEWBERRY (Newberry) – Marshall Lange scored a season-high 23 points to lead four Newberry men’s basketball (6-4, 2-3 SAC) players in double-figures as the Wolves used an all-around team effort to defeat Mars Hill (3-6, 1-3 SAC) 98-85 Wednesday night at Eleazer Arena.

Lange scored 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting and also pulled down seven rebounds. James Stepp finished with 20 points and D.J. Copeland added 19 points and team-high eight rebounds. Lamell Washington chipped in 11 points off the bench.

It was back-and-forth early on as the two sides traded buckets to remain tied at 8-8 after five minutes of play. Stepp then went on a solo 12-0 run after scoring four-straight three pointers to put Newberry ahead 25-19. The Wolves controlled most of the first half until a 6-0 run late pulled Mars Hill within three at 46-43.

Lange beat the halftime buzzer to give Newberry a 51-46 lead at the break. Stepp lead Newberry with 18 points. Both teams shot the ball well, as the Wolves were 48.7 percent (19-for-39) from the field and Mars Hill shot 48.6 percent (18-for-37).

Newberry started the second half well, running out to its largest lead of the contest at 69-52 with 14:45 to play. Mars Hill would not go away quietly, cutting the lead to single-digits at 80-71 with 8:18 remaining. The Lions pulled within three with four minutes remaining at 84-81. Copeland answered with a quick layup and Mars Hill never got any closer. Newberry made its free-throws down the stretch for the 98-85 victory.

Newberry’s 43 total rebounds mark the most in a South Atlantic Conference contest this season. Newberry also scored 29 points off 21 Mars Hill turnovers. The Wolves’ defense held the Lions to 30 percent (9-for-30) from beyond the arc.

Newberry poured in 49 points off the bench. The scarlet and gray shot 48.6 percent (34-for-70) from the floor, the Wolves’ highest percentage since shooting 49.3 percent at Warren Wilson.

Justin Hartfield and Bennet Wilson led Mars Hill with 18 points apiece. Indiana Rotondo had a double-double of 11 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.

Newberry will travel to defending South Atlantic Conference Champion Lincoln Memorial (8-2, 4-1 SAC) on Saturday for the final contest of 2016. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.