WINGATE, N.C. – The Lander men's basketball team suffered its first road loss of the season at Wingate on Monday night, falling 68-64 in a non-conference contest.

Wingate improves to 3-6 overall, while Lander slips to 3-4.

JR Washington and Telvin Gabriel led the way with 22 and 10 points, respectively. Washington led the Bearcats with nine rebounds, while Nicklas Jonsson added nine points and Chris Tate netted seven. 

The Bulldogss were paced by Mike Baez's 22 points and 15 rebounds,Josh Dominguez's 19 points and four assists and Zeriq Lolar's eights points.

Wingate jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the first minute and a half of the game, but an 11-0 run by Lander midway through the first half, led by four points from both Washington and Gabriel helped give the Bearcats a 29-22 lead at halftime. 

The Bulldogs rallied in the second half, tying the game at 40-40 on a Baez jumper at the 14:21 mark. Over the next 6:54, Wingate outscored Lander 17-4 and held a 63-53 lead with 3:49 remaining in the game. 

A three-pointer from Washington brought the Bearcats within three points, 67-64, with 58 seconds left to play and Lander had a chance to tie the game after a missed layup from Baez, but Washington's final three-point attempt was off target. Baez grabbed the ensuing rebound and knocked down a free throw, sealing the victory for Wingate. 

Lander connected on 22-of-55 field goals for 45.5 percent, including 5-of-14 three pointers (35.7 percent). The Bearcats sank 9-of-15 free throws for 60.0 percent.

Wingate, who outrebounded Lander, 38-27, made 25-of-54 floor shots for 46.3 percent, including 5-of-16 threes (31.3 percent) and 13-of-16 foul shots for 81.3 percent.