Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University men’s basketball is approaching the end of its South Atlantic Conference schedule. Entering the final two games of the regular season, the Bulldogs occupy second place in the SAC standings. The Bulldogs entertain the Anderson (S.C.) University Trojans Wednesday in a game with huge implications.

During the last meeting between the two teams at Anderson’s Abney Athletic Center, Trojan freshman guard Denzail Jones scored a game-high 20 points to lead AU over Wingate 83-72. Anderson junior forward Taylor Shugart scored 13 points, while forwards Trey Britton and Tyrell McDowell added 12 points each. Britton had the only double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds. Anderson shot 50 percent (28-of-56) for the game.

For Wingate, freshman guard Nick Ross (Carrollton, Texas) led the way with a career-high 18 points. Junior guard Chase Smith (Upper Marlboro, Md.) equaled his career-high scoring output with 17 points. Classmate Jaime Vaughn (Tallahassee, Fla.) posted 15 points, while sophomore forward Odell Turner (Charlotte, N.C.) had 11 points and a team-best eight rebounds. The Bulldogs hit 11-of-21 three-point field goals (52.4 percent).

The Wingate University men’s basketball team has won six straight contests entering Presidents’ Day week. During this six-game stretch, the Bulldogs are outscoring their opponents by 12 points per game and outrebounding their foes by four rebounds per game. In its next encounter, Wingate entertains Anderson (S.C.) University Wednesday at 8 p.m.

On Saturday, Vaughn scored 22 points, sophomore point guard Ethan Kincaid (Morganton, N.C.) posted a career-high 19 and Turner scored 14 points and grabbed 16 rebounds as the Bulldogs used a big rebounding edge to defeat the Mars Hill College Lions 85-78 in SAC action in Cuddy Arena.

Sophomore forward Quan Alexander (Charlotte, N.C.) added 10 points and 12 boards for Wingate (16-8 overall, 11-5 SAC). The host Bulldogs outrebounded Mars Hill 46-31. The Lions hit 12 three-pointers in a January victory over the Bulldogs. Mars Hill managed only two long-range baskets Saturday. In addition, the Lions allowed the Bulldogs 17 offensive rebounds en route to 17 second-chance points. The 17 markers played a huge difference, as Wingate outscored Mars Hill 17-8 in this category.

Turner had six offensive rebounds, while Alexander and freshman forward Jeffrey Parker (Madison, N.C.) had three each. The trio had more offensive rebounds (12) than the entire MHC roster (eight). Parker had three blocked shots, while Turner rejected two. Turner’s statistics sheet also included a team-high four steals.

On Wednesday, Vaughn and Turner combined for 48 points to lead the Bulldogs to an 83-78 SAC men’s basketball victory over Newberry College last Wednesday night in Cuddy Arena. Vaughn had 28 points, five assists and three steals for the hosts. The All-SAC standout hit 12-of-13 free throws Wednesday. Turner filled out his statistics ledger with 20 points, seven rebounds and five blocked shots. The 2010 SAC Freshman of the Year helped Wingate outscore Newberry 30-22 in the paint.

During second-place Wingate’s current six-game winning streak, Turner is averaging 20 points per game and 9.8 rebounds per game. He is shooting 62.7 percent from the floor during the same time frame. On the season, Turner is averaging Wingate team-high totals of 14.8 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. He tops the Wingate charts in field goal percentage (50.8), steals (33) and blocked shots (40, shared with Parker).