Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs wrap up the first half of league play Wednesday night, when they host the first-place Anderson University Trojans at 8 p.m. Wingate has won three in a row and seven of its last eight, entering Wednesday’s game 10-8 overall and 6-2 in the SAC. The Trojans have won six straight, and 10 of their last 11, entering the contest 13-3 overall and 8-0 in the SAC.
 
After winning two contests by a combined 52 points, the Bulldogs had to overcome a 17-point halftime deficit at Brevard Saturday. Wingate outscored the Tornados 42-21 in the second half en route to 61-57 victory. Senior guard Jaime Vaughn (Tallahassee, Fla.), junior guard Paidrick Matilus (Boynton Beach, Fla.) and junior forward Odell Turner (Charlotte, N.C.) had 12 points each to lead the attack. Junior guard Eddie Lewis (Rocky Point, N.C.) knocked down a huge three with 14 seconds left in the contest to make it a four-point game.
 
Last Wednesday’s victory saw the Bulldogs shoot a season-best 60.7 percent from the field en route to a 32-point victory over Newberry, who entered the contest ranked third nationally with 91.7 points per contest. The ‘Dogs held the Wolves to a season low in points, while Wingate tied a season high with 11 three-pointers on 19 attempts. Vaughn scored 22 of his season-high 29 points in the first half. He hit 10-of-15 shots from the field on the night, while knocking down six-of-seven from three-point range. Turner filled up the stat sheet with 15 points, six rebounds, four blocks and three steals, while senior guard Chase Smith (Upper Marlboro, Md.) added 14 points on five-of-seven shooting from the field.
 
Junior forward Quan Alexander (Charlotte, N.C.) led the attack in the 90-70 victory over Mars Hill, notching season highs of 22 points and nine rebounds on the afternoon. Vaughn and Smith added 16 and 11 points, respectively, while junior guard Ethan Kincaid (Morganton, N.C.) handed out a career-high 10 assists.
 
Wingate has three players averaging double figures this season, while seven Bulldogs are scoring at least five points per game. Vaughn leads the way with 15.6 points per game, shooting 40 percent from three-point range. Turner is scoring 11.9 points per game, while ranking fourth in the league with 7.1 rebounds per game and third with 1.6 blocks per contest. Matilus is averaging 11.7 points per game, while ranking third in the conference, shooting 89.8 percent from the free throw line. Kincaid is second in the SAC with 4.47 assists per game, and ranks third in assist-to-turnover ratio. Sophomore forward Jeff Parker (Madison, N.C.) is second with 1.82 blocks per game, with sophomore forward Deion Turman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) ranking fifth at 1.47 blocks per game.
 
Wingate leads the SAC and ranks fourth nationally with 6.1 blocks per game. The ‘Dogs rank second in the league in scoring defense, three-point field goal percentage defense and free throw percentage.
 
The Bulldogs and Trojans met twice last season, with Anderson winning both contests. Denzail Jones had 20 points to lead the Trojans to a home win, while Taylor Shugart added 13 points. Smith and Vaughn had 17 and 15 points, respectively for the Bulldogs. Nick Trull had 17 points in the victory at Wingate, while Turner led the Bulldogs with 23 points and seven rebounds.
 
Anderson notched an 82-70 win at Carson-Newman Saturday, getting 17 points from Jones. The biggest win of the year for the Trojans came Jan. 14, winning 78-72 over then-number-one Lincoln Memorial in overtime. Taylor Shugart had 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead the attack. Trull leads the Trojans with 16.6 points per game this year, ranking fourth in the SAC with 2.75 three-pointers per game. Jones is averaging 13.3 points per contest, while Shugart is averaging 11.3 points and 7.2 boards per game.