Brooks' 26 leads Lions past Wingate at home

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (11-13, 9-9 SAC) downed Wingate (10-14, 6-12 SAC) by a score of 93-79 to earn the season split Saturday afternoon inside Chambers Gymnasium.

The Lions converted on 14 three-point attempts, shooting just under 50 percent from beyond the arc.

With just under five minutes remaining in the contest, Wingate's Frankie Johnson hit a three-pointer to cut the Lions' lead down to six, 77-71.  An 8-2 run, led by Austin Gilyard's five points, put the Mars Hill lead back into double-digits, a margin they would hold for the remainder of the contest.  Ja'Shawn Brooks closed out the contest, scoring seven of Mars Hill's final eight points.

Mars Hill opened the contest on an 11-4 run, hitting three three-pointers in the run.  With just over seven minutes left in the opening half, the Bulldog's Jarren Cottingham pulled Wingate within three, 27-24, however, a three-pointer from Matthew Powell built the lead back to six.  Javonte Cooke added two free throw makes moments later to take an eight-point advantage.

Wingate closed out the half on an 8-2 run to go into the half down 45-42 after 20 minutes of play.  Francis Sio led the Bulldogs with eight points from the bench while Brooks paced the Lions offensively, recording 10 points.  Cooke and Nassyr Daniel added nine points apiece while both Powell and Gilyard were 2-of-3 from beyond the arc.

Cottingham tied the game early in the second half with a three of his own and moments later, the Bulldogs took their first lead of the contest as Miguel Priest went 1-of-2 from the free throw line.  The teams traded the lead several times throughout the frame, but with 7:20 remaining and tied at 68, a jumper from Brooks was the catalyst for a Mars Hill 9-0 run with Brooks netting five points in the stretch.

Cottingham led Wingate with 15 points followed by Sio and Jakob Dawkins' 12 points apiece.

Brooks led all players with 26 points and added seven rebounds.  Gilyard ended the contest with 16 points.  Jamal Bryant compiled a masterful effort throughout, recording 16 points and collecting a season-high 15 rebounds.  

Mars Hill hosts No. 2 ranked Lincoln Memorial on Wednesday, February 19 inside Chambers Gymnasium with tipoff scheduled for 7:30 p.m.