Hickory, N.C. - The Wingate University Women's Basketball Team (14-7, 9-4) took over sole possession of second place in the South Atlantic Conference with a 66-45 win over Lenoir-Rhyne University (11-10, 8-5) Wednesday evening at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

Wingate's Simone Rutledge (Atlanta, Ga.) led all scorers with 18 points to go along with 10 rebounds for a double-double as the Bulldogs swept the season series from the Bears.

Junior guard Cameron Sealey (Mount Holly, N.C.) was the lone player to score in double figures for L-R, finishing with 16 points in the losing effort.

Wingate, who jumped out to a 10-2 lead 4:28 into the contest, never trailed after Lenoir-Rhyne scored the first basket of the contest.

After taking a slim 26-24 margin into the break, the Bulldogs took control with a 13-3 run to start the second half capped off by a trey by Janitsha Williams (Statesville, N.C.) for a 39-27 advantage and never looked back.

Wingate's Kurie Washington (Marion, N.C.) and Williams added 13 points each as the Bulldogs limited the Bears to just 27 percent (16-of-60) shooting for the contest.

Wingate also hit 22-of-23 free throw attempts (96 percent) and held a 55-35 advantage in rebounding.

Sophomore forward Precious Elkins (Conyers, Ga.) pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds for the Bears.

Lenoir-Rhyne travels to Jefferson City, Tenn., to take on Carson-Newman Saturday at 6 p.m.? Wingate, meanwhile, remains on the road to face Tusculum Saturday at 2 p.m., in Greeneville, Tenn.