WINGATE – Sophomores Shahmel Brackett and George Blakeney combined for 44 points to lead the UNCP men's basketball squad to a 94-72 victory over the Wingate Bulldogs Tuesday evening at Cuddy Arena in Wingate.

The Braves (6-1, 1-0 PBC) opened the contest with a 22-2 run through the first 4:07 and finished their red-hot first half with a 65 percent (17-of-26) shooting line with a scorching 8-of-9 effort from 3-point land. The tremendous offensive output combined with staunch defense limited the Bulldogs' (3-3, 0-0 SAC) offense to a mere 33 percent (12-of-36) team field goal shooting in the first half, and a strong 23-14 rebounding advantage gave UNCP a healthy 50-34 cushion at halftime.

The second half was more competitive, but UNCP still outscored the Bulldogs by six points in the second stanza to earn the 22-point road victory, their fifth-straight following their lone loss to Belmont Abbey back on Nov. 16.

As a squad the Braves shot 58.9 percent from the floor (33-of-56) including 10-of-14 from 3-point land with most of the long-range damage coming in the first half. UNCP once again won the battle of the boards with a 37-34 margin and have out-rebounded their opponent in each contest this season. UNCP once again had trouble with mistakes after turning the ball over 20 times, but a matching number by the Bulldogs made the statistical category a wash on Tuesday evening. 

Brackett, UNCP's leading scorer, upped his average in the win with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field, including 3-of-7 from long range. The reigning Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Year added four rebounds, five assists and one steal in 33 minutes of action.

Big George Blakeney upped his scoring average as well with 20 points on 8-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-5 from the free throw line and also notched six rebounds and two blocks in the victory. Junior Cody Hughes came off the bench to score 18 points (16 in the first half) in 21 minutes and finished a perfect 4-of-4 from 3-point range.

Sophomore K.J. Cooper was the fourth member of the squad in double figures with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting from the floor, and the Enfield native added four rebounds, seven assists and four steals while knocking in his only two 3-point attempts on the night.

UNCP will return to Pembroke to open their home conference schedule on Saturday when they host the Clayton State Lakers at 3:30 p.m. at the English E. Jones Center. The Lakers defeated Carver Bible College on Tuesday evening by an 80-73 final to move their record to 5-2 on the season.