Wingate, N.C.----The 14th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs took a 2-1 lead in doubles play and held on for a 5-4 victory over No. 31 Tusculum College in South Atlantic Conference men's tennis action Monday afternoon. Wingate improves to 14-5 overall and 7-1 in the SAC, while the Pioneers fall to 13-6 overall and 4-4 in league play.

Wingate's number one doubles team of senior Josh DuToit (Charlotte, N.C.) and sophomore Daniel Belsito (Charlotte, N.C.) won 8-5 at number one doubles, while freshmen Joseph Canyadell (Lleida, Spain) and Matthew Jones (Shrewsbury, United Kingdom) picked up an 8-7 victory at number three doubles.

Belsito, ranked 19th nationally, stayed perfect in league play with a 6-3, 6-3 win at one singles, but the Pioneers won at two, three and four singles to take a 4-3 lead. DuToit tied the match with a 6-2, 6-1 victory at number four singles, moving to 35-1 in SAC singles play in his career.

Sophomore Tamir Geva (Jerusalem, Israel) won the clincher at six singles. He won the first set 7-6, then bounced back from a 6-1 loss in set two to prevail 6-1 in the third to clinch the match for the Bulldogs.

Wingate is back in action Wednesday, traveling to Newberry for a 2 p.m. start.