 AUGUSTA, Ga. --
Fifth-seeded Wingate outscored second-seeded Virginia Union 48-21 in the second half to capture the NCAA South Atlantic Regional Championship 73-56 Tuesday night in Christenberry Fieldhouse.
Shaun Kirkland and Sean Barnette each posted double-doubles for the Bulldogs, who are bound for the Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass., March 21-24. Kirkland had a monster game, pouring in 27 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, including nine offensive boards. Barnette booked 20 points and 13 rebounds of his own. Bryan Grier notched six points, seven rebounds and eight blocked shots.
Virginia Union, seeking its third straight trip to the Elite Eight, was paced by Chris Greene’s 17 points. Lakeith Blanks added 12 off the bench and Brad Byerson chipped in 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Panthers controlled the first half, taking a 35-25 lead into halftime while shooting 50 percent from the field and holding Wingate to just 26.3 percent shooting. But the tables turned in the second half.
Virginia Union actually increased its lead to as much as 13 on a Jason Wansley layup, moving out in front 43-30 at the 14:24 mark of the second half. Then the Bulldogs caught fire, erasing their deficit with a remarkable 22-0 over a span of only 5:28 that Justin Baker capped with a three-pointer. Blanks hit a pair of free throws to stem the tide before Wingate answered with another Baker trey and consecutive baskets by Kirkland.
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