BOX SCORE

(WINGATE, N.C.) From the opening tip, there was never any question about the Bulldogs winning. However which Bulldogs, Bowie State University or Wingate University would be the deciding factor. Well, Wingate erased a 17 point deficit and rallied to defeat Bowie State 86-79 to close out the OrthoCarolina Classic.

Bowie State knocked down 17-of-28 first half field goal attempts (61%), which included 4-of-5 behind the arc, helping the Bulldogs to a 44-32 halftime lead. Wingate was dead on from long range early in the first period, with their first five scores coming from three point land. Senior Curtis Massey (Upper Marlboro, MD, Largo, Dodge City CC) and junior Charles Richardson (Suitland, MD, Suitland, Montgomery - Takoma Park C.C.) combined for 19 first half points to lead Bowie State.

Wingate pulled to within eight (57-51) at the 12:42 mark of the second half, going on an 8-0 run. Wingate's Bulldogs made up even more ground, narrowing the margin to three (60-57) on a pair of buckets by David Johnson and a jumper by Ben Davis. Jamie Vaughn tied things up at 60 on a triple with 9:30 left to play. Kenny Villnes gave Wingate their first lead of the afternoon, scoring a lay-up with 6:15 left on the clock. Bowie State junior Armond Hill (Silver Spring, MD, Springbrook, Montgomery - Rockville C.C.) shifted the advantage back to the visiting Bulldogs at 65-64, but it was short lived.

Davis gave the advantage back to Wingate only to have BSU's Hill tie the game at 66 with 4:46 remaining in the contest. At that point, Wingate's Bulldogs went on an 8-0 run and never allowed Bowie State to get closer than five points for the rest of the game.

For the game, Bowie State was 28-of-55 (51%) from the field, 7-of-10 (70%) behind the arc but shot a disappointing 16-of-27 (59%) from the charity stripe. Massey led BSU's Bulldogs with a career-high 20 points on 8-of-15 shooting and Hill finished with 16 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Junior Corey Camphor (Upper Marlboro, MD, DeMatha) ended the game with a career-high 13 points, hitting 5-of-8 from the floor, which included a perfect 3-of-3 in three-pointers.

Wingate (4-3) was 28-of-62 (45%) from the floor, 12-of-26 (46%) on three-point attempts and 18-of-25 (72%) from the free throw line. The trio of Davis, Johnson and Vaughn scored 15 points apiece to lead the Wingate Bulldogs. Davis also snared a game-high nine rebounds and Johnson was responsible for eight rebounds..

Bowie State (4-3) travels to New York City next weekend to face Virginia Union University in the Big Apple Classic. Saturday's (12/6) game time at Madison Square Garden is 5 p.m.