Anderson, S.C.----A layup from Wingate University sophomore center Keith Griffin (Concord, N.C.) with seven seconds remaining gave the visiting Bulldogs a thrilling 59-57 victory at Anderson University in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action Saturday afternoon. Wingate wins its third straight, improving to 13-9 overall and 10-6 in the SAC. Anderson falls to 10-12 overall and 6-10 in the conference.

Freshman Zeriq Lolar (Orlando, Fla.) poured in a career-high 17 points to lead the Wingate attack, knocking down three triples while pulling down five rebounds. Junior guard Xavier Griffin (Marshville, N.C.) had 14 points and four rebounds, while sophomore forward Isiah Cureton (Waxhaw, N.C.) contributed 12 points and seven rebounds for the Bulldogs.

Chris Ross had 16 points to lead the Anderson attack, going eight-for-nine from the field. DJ McGowan added 14 points and five rebounds, while Matt McClain contributed eight points and seven boards for the Trojans.

A pair of Lolar free throws along with a triple from sophomore Anthanee Doyle (Holly Springs, N.C.) gave Wingate a 14-8 lead seven minutes into the first half. A McClain three tied it a minute later, but a Lolar three and Cureton layup put the 'Dogs back on top by five. A layup from Alani Adekambi tied it at 19 at the 9:24 mark, while a McGowan layup put the Trojans on top by two with 6:27 left in the half. Xavier Griffin answered with a 7-0 run of his own, putting Wingate on top by five at the 3:31 mark. A Rakish Taylor bucket with a minute left cut the Bulldog lead to 28-25 at halftime.

A Cureton bucket put Wingate on top by seven in the opening minutes of the second half. Back-to-back Ross buckets trimmed the lead to one with 13 minutes remaining. A jumper and a three from Daye gave Wingate a 46-42 lead at the 9:06 mark, but Anderson responded with an 8-0 run, taking a 50-46 lead on three Maurice Howard free throws with 5:44 to go.

A Lolar bucket and two Cureton free throws tied it at 50, while a Lolar triple put the 'Dogs on top by one with 2:53 left. Lolar answered two McGowan free throws with a layup to give the lead back to Wingate, while two Xavier Griffin free throws made it 57-54 with 24 seconds left. McGowan answered with a big triple, tying the game at 57 with 14 seconds left. Wingate had the response. Doyle went into the lane and lobbed a pass to Keith Griffin, who put home the game-winner with seven seconds left.

Wingate shot 44.9 percent from the field, hitting six-of-20 shots from beyond the arc (30 percent). Anderson shot 46.7 percent from the field, knocking down five-of-20 shots from three-point range (25 percent). Wingate held a 28-27 rebounding edge, converting 10 Anderson turnovers into 11 points. The game featured eight ties and nine lead changes, with no team ever leading by more than seven points. The 'Dogs went a perfect nine-for-nine at the free throw line.

Wingate is back in action Wednesday, hosting Queens in a key SAC matchup at 8 p.m. The Royals enter the contest at 11-5 in SAC play, alone in second place, one game ahead of third place Wingate.