WINGATE, N.C. -- Wade Jackson tallied 22 points with five three-pointers, but a late rally fell short as host Wingate posted a 77-74 victory over Belmont Abbey in the Kyle Honore Memorial Tipoff Challenge Friday afternoon. The Crusaders had trailed by 14 points with 7:23 remaining before closing to within one with five seconds remaining.

The contest was the season opener for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Kyle Frazier tallied 16 points and Mason Taylor added 15 to round out the double-figure scoring.
• Jacori Owens grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, while Taylor chipped in seven.
• Jackson dished out a team-high four assists.
• Belmont Abbey shot just 31.3 percent (10 of 32) in the opening period, but connected on half of its shots (13 of 26)  after intermission to finish the contest at 39.7 percent (23 of 58).
• The Bulldogs opened the game on a 14-2 run, but 12 straight points by The Abbey later in the half put the Crusaders up 19-18. The half closed with Wingate in the lead 35-30.
• Back-to-back threes pushed the hosts into a 51-39 advantage at the 13:53 mark and the lead stretched to 15, 57-45 -- its biggest of the contest -- on another three with 11:50 to play.
• Three straight threes by Jackson and three free throws by Taylor closed the margin to four, 69-65, by the 3:36 mark, but turnovers on two chances in the final 1:03 prevented the Crusaders from taking the lead.

UP NEXT

• Belmont Abbey wraps up play in its season opening challenge tomorrow afternoon.
• The Crusaders return to Wingate to play Mars Hill at 3 p.m.