Wingate, Catawba Set up No. 1 vs. No. 2 SAC Women’s Basketball Championship Final

Wingate and Catawba both won Food Lion SAC Women's Basketball Championship semifinals on Saturday, setting up a No. 1 vs. No. 2 final on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. Click here for a recap from both games.

Top-Seeded Wingate Cruises over Carson-Newman, into SAC Championship Game

[Box Score] [Press Conference]

HICKORY, N.C. - No. 1 seed Wingate played like the regular season conference champions on Saturday, leading nearly wire-to-wire to defeat fifth-seeded Carson-Newman, 66-49, to advance to Sunday's final.

A full-court Wingate defense forced 25 Carson-Newman turnovers, as the Bulldogs led by 12 at halftime and by as many as 19 in the second half. C-N shot just 36.2-percent overall and 30-percent from long range.

Wingate took an 8-7 lead on a Nikki Burton putback at the 13:22 mark of the first half, and would not relinquish the lead. The bucket ignited a 17-6 run which established WU's control of the game.

Leading the Bulldogs was versatile guard Nikki Burton, who finished with an efficient line of 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and five steals. She was one of three Bulldogs to reach double-digit scoring, joining Kurie Washington, who scored 16, and Simone Rutledge, who added 14.

Wingate also kept Carson-Newman's talented frontcourt of Zoriah Williams and Shannon Depew largely in check, holding the duo to a combined six-of-17 from the field.

However, Williams still finished with a solid line of 11 points and a game-high 16 rebounds to lead the Eagles.

The win was Wingate's eighth straight, which includes six-consecutive victories to close the regular season and clinch the league title.

WU will look to win its first SAC Tournament championship since 2007 on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

Catawba Survives Newberry, Moves in SAC Championship Final

[Box Score] [Press Conference]

HICKORY, N.C. - Catawba scored 23 points off of 21 Newberry turnovers and outlasted a late Wolves comeback to advance to Sunday's Food Lion SAC Women's Basketball Championship final.

Both teams at different junctures of the game appeared to be on their way to blowout victories. Newberry led by as many as 15 in the first half, and Catawba then came back to open up a 10-point cushion with just over nine minutes to play in the second.

Catawba's lead stayed at eight until an 9-0 run by Newberry - capped by a jumper by Ellie Gleeson - gave the Wolves a 52-51 lead with 4:44 remaining.

But the Indians' Dana Hicks, who was held in check for much of the game, came up big for her team late. With the score knotted at 52, Hicks made a jumper to give Catawba a lead it ultimately would not give up.

On Newberry's ensuing possession, Hicks forced a turnover, then assisted on a Jolysa Connor layup.

After Newberry got back to within two with just over a minute remaining, Hicks - this season's SAC Player of the Year -- iced the game with a jumper and two free-throws on consecutive possessions.

Chloe Bully was Catawba's top scorer, finishing with 16 points, followed by Hicks and guard Nisha Long, who each added 14. Hicks also led the Indians with six rebounds.

Freshman Haylee Lepaio was equally as impressive for Newberry, finishing with a game-high 17 points and nine rebounds in the losing effort.

The Wolves also got 10 points and five assists from guard Keisha Henderson.

Catawba will be looking for its first SAC Championship title since 2001 on Sunday.