Gaffney, S.C.-Men's basketball took down Wingate at home in a tough battle in a South Atlantic Conference game with a final of 82-71. The Saints were led by a strong offense moving the team to a record of 1-13, 7-12 SAC, the Bulldogs fell to a record of 10-11,8-10 SAC.
Key Players:

• Sirr Hughes (Cleveland Heights, Ohio) scored an impressive 30 points, making 11 out of 17 field goals and 7 out of 12 three-pointers, while also contributing 3 assists and 2 steals.
• Greg McKay (Nassau, Bahamas) added 17 points, hitting 7 out of 11 field goals, and grabbed 7 rebounds along with 2 assists.
• Trevon Payton (Lilburn, Ga.) scored 13 points, with 5 out of 10 field goals and 3 out of 5 three-pointers, and also secured 7 rebounds and 2 steals.
• Isayah Owens (Inman, S.C. ) contributed 10 points, making 3 out of 8 field goals and 2 out of 5 three-pointers, and led the team with 5 assists.
• Railer Vargas (Venezuela) was a defensive powerhouse with 11 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 3 steals, while also scoring 4 points.
• Emmanuel Okogie (Atlanta, Ga.) scored 7 points, making 3 out of 5 field goals and 1 out of 3 three-pointers, in just 13 minutes of play.

STORY OF THE GAME:
First Half:

• Wingate made the first basket of the game but Vargas put the first points on the board for the Saints a few seconds later to tie the game up 2-2.
• It was a low-scoring game with sixteen minutes to go in the first half the score was 6-2 in favor of the Bulldogs.
• McKay threw down an aggressive dunk to chip away at Wingate's lead.
• Hughes kept them within eight points hitting a three on a fast break transition.
• Payton was good on a layup cutting into the Bulldog's lead as the score was 19-17.
• Owens tied the game up a few minutes later at 25 a piece with a tip-in layup.
• McKay gave his team the lead with a layup in the paint.
• The Saints went into the half leading by one as Wingate hit a jump shot to bring themselves within one 32-31.

Second Half:

• Both teams went back and forth for the first few baskets of the second half.
• Wingate took the lead with a three-pointer from Jordan Miller.
• Hughes responded with a three-pointer of his own giving the Saints a two-point lead 43-41.
• Okogie hit a three growing the Saints lead to five with 11 minutes to go in the second half.
• Hughes turned it on in the second half hitting another three growing his team's lead to 12.
• The Bulldogs responded with a jumper trying to keep themselves in the game.
• McKay kept on the attack as well hitting a layup in the paint through traffic.
• Hughes helped the Saints build their biggest lead of the night with a layup putting his team ahead by 14 with less than a minute to go.
• Wingate made back-to-back baskets however fell short with the final coming out to 81-72.  

Up Next:
Limestone will take on Coker on Saturday, Feb. 15^th starting at 4:00 P.M..