ANDERSON, S.C. - Using a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive effort, the Anderson women's basketball team defeated league-leading Newberry, 57-51, in South Atlantic Conference action Wednesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

Anderson improved to 8-5 overall and 2-1 in the league by garnering its sixth win in the last eight outings and snapping a two-game winless streak. Newberry slipped to 10-3 overall and 2-1 in the conference with its first conference setback of the season.

A trio of seniors led the Trojan offensively, as Alissa Diaz netted a team-high 19 points on 9-of-19 shooting from the field. Forwards Breonda Shannon and Tilde Ahlin each added 11 points, with Shannon narrowly missing her fourth double-double of the season by recording nine rebounds.

Newberry's Haylee Lepaio, who leads the conference in both scoring and rebounding, poured in a game-high 24 points and pulled down 10 rebounds, while teammate Samantha Creed chipped in 10 points.

The Trojans opened the contest with a 9-3 run, with Diaz tossing in four points and Shannon adding three during the quick start.

With Anderson holding a 17-12 lead, the Wolves scored nine unanswered points to take a brief 21-17 edge - their largest of the game - midway through the opening half. But senior guard Amanda Parris answered for the Trojans, scoring five straight on a jumper from the left baseline and followed with a 3-pointer to give AU a one-point lead and sparking a 9-1 run. Shannon capped the outburst with a pair of free throws and a layup to push the Trojan advantage to 26-22 with less than five minutes left in the half.

Newberry opened the second half with an 8-4 run to erase a 29-26 halftime lead and with the score deadlocked at 41-41, Anderson went on a brief 5-2 surge to take a lead it would not relinquish. Neither team led by more than six points the rest of the way.

The Trojans open a two-game South Atlantic Conference road swing Saturday afternoon at Lincoln Memorial, then visit Tusculum one week from tonight. Tip-off versus the Lady Railsplitters at Tex Turner Arena is slated for 3 p.m.