Wright nets 16 in SAC opener versus Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (0-1, 0-1 SAC) opened their South Atlantic Conference schedule on the road, falling to Wingate (4-2, 4-2 SAC) by a score of 89-69 Saturday afternoon.

Mars Hill entered the second half down by five and cut the lead down to three following an Isayah Johnson layup less than 30 seconds in.  A three-pointer from Wingate's Francis Sio kicked off a 7-0 run for the Bulldogs to extend their lead into double-digits.  Another 8-0 run moments later saw Wingate extend their lead to 51-35 with 5:01 played in the half.

With just over 10 minutes remaining, the Lions went on a 6-0 run to close the gap to nine points, however, free throws by Sio were the catalyst for a Bulldogs' 16-0 run, bumping the lead up to 25 with 4:24 left in the contest.

Sio led all players in the half with 18 points while Johnson scored 10 for the Lions.

A back-and-forth affair over the first five minute of the game saw Wingate up 11-6 until the Lions rallied for seven straight points to go up 13-11, capped off by a Johnson three-pointer.  The Lions trailed with under 10 minutes to go in the first half until another 6-0 run put Mars Hill up 21-18 with under eight minutes left in the frame.  Jeremy Peck had four points in the run while Reggie Wright added two.

Wright put the Lions up by three following a four-point play with 3:06 to play in the half.  Wingate responded with a 10-2 run to close out the half with Sio scoring five.  Jarren Cottingham added three in the run.

Wright led all players with 14 points in the half while Sio led the Bulldogs with 11.  Sio led all players with 29 points on the night.  Three Lions finished in double-figures with Wright's 16 leading the way.  Peck added 15 while Johnson ended the contest with 13.

Mars Hill returns to action on Wednesday, December 16 when they host Lenoir-Rhyne.  Tipoff in Chambers Gymnasium is set for 2 p.m.