Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore center Keith Griffin (Concord, N.C.) scored on a putback with nine seconds left Wednesday night, giving the Bulldogs a 75-74 victory over visiting Queens University in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action in Cuddy Arena. Wingate wins its fourth straight, improving to 14-9 overall and 11-6 in the SAC. Queens falls to 14-9 overall and 11-6 in the conference. The two teams are tied for second in the league standings.

Junior guard Xavier Griffin (Marshville, N.C.) had 17 points to lead the Wingate attack, going eight-for-eight at the free throw line. Freshman guard Zeriq Lolar (Orlando, Fla.) had 11 points and nine rebounds, while sophomore guard Anthanee Doyle (Holly Springs, N.C.) contributed 10 points for the Bulldogs. Sophomore forward Isiah Cureton (Waxhaw, N.C.) contributed nine points and eight rebounds.

Rob Lewis had 21 points to lead the Queens attack, going 10-for-15 at the free throw line, while adding five steals. Marquis Rankin added 16 points, while Trey Ervin had 10 points. Sean Morgan had seven points and 10 boards, while Jedarian Jackson had six points and 10 boards.

A Lewis layup gave the Royals a 10-4 lead four minutes into the opening half. A three-point play from Ryan Daye (Burlington, N.C.) cut the lead to three, while layups from Cureton and Herbert Harrison (Marietta, Ga.) put the 'Dogs on top by one. Wingate added a 6-0 lead, stretching the lead to five when a three-point play from Terrill Hilliard (Rocky Mount, N.C.) made it 19-14 at the 12 minute mark.

A triple from Marquis Rankin cut the lead to one four minutes later. A Keith Griffin layup helped push the lead back to five with 6:17 remaining. Queens scored the next seven points, taking a 28-26 lead on a Jared Hendryx three-point play. Wingate regained a three-point lead when a Doyle triple made it 33-30, while sophomore Dustin Dodd (Concord, N.C.) followed with a triple to push the lead to five with 1:21 remaining. Wingate held a 40-35 lead at halftime.

A Cureton layup gave Wingate a seven-point lead in the opening minutes of the second half. A Jackson layup cut the lead to three at the 15-minute mark. Jacarl Owens cut the lead to one with a layup at the 12:17 mark. Buckets from Lolar and Xavier Griffin put Wingate on top 56-51 a minute later. An Ervin triple and Lewis layup tied the game at 56. Free throws from Cureton and Xavier Griffin helped Wingate push the advantage back to five at the 7:16 mark.

Queens scored the next six points, taking a 62-61 lead on a pair of Lewis free throws with 5:43 to go. Lewis buried a three to push the Queens lead to two, but Lolar responded with a three to put the 'Dogs back on top by one at the 3:24 mark. Lolar pushed the lead to three with a pair of free throws, but an Ervin three tied it with 2:26 left. Queens took a one-point lead on a Lewis free throw with 1:37 to go. Teams traded empty possessions, giving Wingate the ball with 25 seconds left. Xavier Griffin went to the basket. He missed his short jumper, but Keith Griffin was there for the layup, converting the tip-in to make it 75-74 with nine second left. Wingate deflected the Queens pass on the other end to secure the win.

Wingate shot 44.2 percent from the field, hitting five-of-16 shots from three-point range (31.3 percent). Queens shot 49 percent from the field, hitting four-of-11 shots from beyond the arc (36.4 percent). The teams combined to shoot 69 free throws, with Wingate converted 24-of-32 (75 percent) while the Royals were 22-for-37 (59.5 percent). Queens held a 34-33 rebounding edge, while the WU bench outscored the Royals 33-17.

Wingate is back in action Saturday, hosting Carson-Newman at 4 p.m.