Men's Basketball Falls at Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. - The Wingate University men's basketball team accumulated 43 bench points en route to an 81-44 South Atlantic Conference victory over Mars Hill University Saturday afternoon in Cuddy Arena and Thomas Koontz Court. The WU Bulldogs never trailed, improving to 11-9 overall and 8-6 in the SAC. The MHU Lions are 8-12 overall and 3-11 in the SAC.

For Mars Hill, Kevin Haynes had nine points. Isaiah Cuthbertson had eight points and a game-high 10 rebounds. The Lions shot a season-low 24.4 percent from the floor Saturday (11-of-45).

Terrill Hilliard led all scorers with 16 points. Anthanee Doyle contributed 11 points, while Ryan Daye and Xavier Griffin had 10 points each. Twelve players saw time for the Bulldogs Saturday; 12 players found the scoring column.

Wingate never trailed Saturday, shooting 59.3 percent in the first half (16-of-27) while sprinting to a 46-20 advantage at intermission. Hilliard and Doyle had nine points each in the first half, while Mars Hill's Michael Carson had seven markers.

The Bulldogs stretched their advantage to 39 points in the waning moments. On the afternoon, Wingate shot 53.7 percent from the field (29-of-54). Hilliard hit five-of-six shots, while Doyle made four-of-five attempts.

Wingate posted decisive victories in four-of-five specialty statistics categories Saturday. The Bulldog bench outscored the Lion reserves 43-25. Wingate posted 36 points in the paint, compared to 10 for Mars Hill. The Bulldogs had 32 points off 22 Lion turnovers (MHU scored 12 points on 15 WU mistakes), while converting 16 fast-break points. Mars Hill had two fast-break points.

The Lions continue their road swing Wednesday, visiting local rival Brevard for an 8 p.m. contest.