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Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University junior guard Ryan Daye (Burlington, N.C.) poured in a career-high 35 points Wednesday night, but a pair of Jordan McCain free throws with 1.7 seconds remaining in the game gave the visiting Trojans an 81-80 victory over the Bulldogs in Cuddy Arena. Mount Olive improves to 2-1 overall, while the Bulldogs fall to 0-1 on the season.

Daye scored 21 of his 35 points in the first half, with 15 of those coming in the first eight minutes. He went 10-for-19 from the field, knocking own five three-pointers on the night while going 10-for-11 from the free throw line. Freshman forward Josh Dominguez (Matthews, N.C.) had 14 points in his collegiate debut, adding four rebounds and two blocks, while sophomore guard Xavier Griffin (Marshville, N.C.) had a career-high 12 points to go along with six assists. Freshman Isiah Cureton (Waxhaw, N.C.) had six points and a team-high eight rebounds in his debut, while senior Jeff Parker (Madison, N.C.) had four points and a game-high four blocks.

Mount Olive's Dory Hines just missed a triple-double, registering nine points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. McCain had 18 points and seven rebounds for the Trojans, while John Wieland added 17 points. Dominique Reed contributed 11 points for the Trojans, while Mike Moore had 10 points.

The Trojans came out hot, jumping out to a 10-0 lead three minutes into the contest on a three-point play from Hines. Wingate answered with a 17-4 run to take a three-point lead, with Daye pouring in 15 points in the flurry, knocking down three shots from beyond the arc. A Weiland tripled tied the game at 23 with 8:33 remaining in the half, but an 8-0 Wingate run made it 31-23. Senior center Deion Turman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) started the spurt with a layup, while Cureton capped it with a layup.

A Weiland jumper, followed by two McCain free throws cut the lead to three with three minutes to go. A Dominguez layup and two Daye free throws pushed the lead back to seven, but a Weiland triple made it 43-39. Griffin answered with a three-point play on the other end, giving Wingate a 46-39 halftime lead.

The Trojans opened the second half on an 11-3 run, regaining the lead on a pair of McCain free throws. Daye and Griffin answered with triples to put the 'Dogs back on top by five, but a layup from Reed and a three from Dontrell Brite tied it at 55 with 14:47 remaining.

Ewon Wright knocked down a triple to put Mount Olive on top by three with 9:40 to go.  Dominguez answered with a three, but free throws from McCain and Reed helped the Trojans push the lead back to three with 6:36 to go. Layups from Cureton and Daye gave the lead back to Wingate with 3:47 remaining. A three-point play from Daye gave the 'Dogs a 75-73 advantage with under three minutes to go.

The Trojans answered with a 6-0 run, getting a McCain bucket and back-to-back jumpers from Moore to take a 79-75 lead with 1:17 left. Daye drilled a triple from the top of the key to cut the lead to one. Dominguez came up with a block on the other end, giving Wingate the ball back with under 30 seconds. Turman grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled. He made both shots, giving the Bulldogs an 80-79 lead with 13 seconds left. The Trojans responded, with McCain driving down the lane in the final seconds, drawing a foul and knocking down two free throws to give Mount Olive the win.

It was fitting the game came down to late free throws. The contest featured 47 fouls and 64 free throw attempts. Mount Olive shot 41.3 percent from the field on the night, going six-for-21 from three-point range (28.6 percent). Wingate shot 45.5 percent, going seven-for-14 from beyond the arc (50 percent). The Trojans out-rebounded Wingate 41-35, pulling down 18 offensive rebounds and converting those into 18 points. Mount Olive also converted 12 Wingate turnovers into 21 points. The contest featured 12 ties and 10 lead changes.

The Bulldogs are back in action Saturday, traveling to UNC Wilmington at 7 p.m. The game is an exhibition for Wingate, but counts as a regular season game for the Seahawks. Wingate returns home next Wednesday, opening conference play against Catawba at 8 p.m.