Hickory, N.C. - The Wingate Men's Basketball Team (13-6, 9-2) remained in a three-way tie for first place at the top of the South Atlantic Conference standings after downing Lenoir-Rhyne (14-5, 7-4), 69-57, Wednesday night at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

The Bulldogs' Ethan Kincaid (Morganton, N.C.) led the way with 20 points while Deion Turman (Pittsburgh, Pa.) added 15 points and nine rebounds as Wingate completed the season sweep of Lenoir-Rhyne

The Bears, who also suffered their sixth straight setback to the Bulldogs, were led by senior forward B.J. Beasley's (Charlotte, N.C.) 12 points, six rebounds and five assists.

Lenoir-Rhyne junior guard R.J. McClure (Canton, N.C.) and junior forward Matt Kunz (Kernersville, N.C.) added 10 points each but the Bears saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.

The Bulldogs held a 51-47 advantage with 6:49 left before taking control with an 8-2 run to increase their lead to 10 points capped off by a jump shot by Odell Turner (Charlotte, N.C.).

Turner finished with eight points and 10 rebounds as Wingate led by as many as 14 points and remained in a first-place tie in the SAC with Anderson and Lincoln Memorial.

In addition, Wingate shot 55 percent (27-of-49) from the field for the game while Lenoir-Rhyne hit just 12-of-22 free throw attempts in the home setback.

On Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m., Lenoir-Rhyne plays Carson-Newman in Jefferson City, Tenn., while Wingate faces Tusculum in Greeneville, Tenn., in the next round of conference games.