PEMBROKE — Ben Miller says he’s starting to sound like a broken record.

He’s tired of blaming losses on turnovers, sick of inexperience being an excuse in defeat and annoyed at his team’s lack of awareness late in games.

After Monday night’s disappointing 82-76 setback to Wingate, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke’s men’s basketball coach summed up the finale of the Braves’ six-game home stand in one word: frustrating.

“Our mistakes got compounded tonight,” Miller said. “One thing led to another and we suddenly find ourselves down by double digits. We are just trying to get better every day. It’s going to be a growing process.”

After taking their biggest lead of the contest at 40-30 with 1:24 remaining in the first half the Braves’ imploded.

What started off as a furious offensive attack in the first half screeched to a halt over the next eight minutes as the Bulldogs scored easily in transition and took advantage of sloppy UNCP possessions. The Braves (3-3) gave up the ball 25 times and have had at least 25 turnovers in each loss this season.

Wingate (4-2) exploded for a 30-6 scoring run during the stretch, including a 19-2 spurt to start the second half, to push ahead 60-46 with 13:25 remaining in the game.

UNCP guard Marcus Heath said his team never recovered from the decisive run, despite pulling even at 75 with just under two minutes to play.

“We talked about coming out with the same energy we had in the first half, but it didn’t happen,” Heath said. “It was a lack of focus on our part and the first five minutes of the half really hurt us.”

Freshman Shahmel Brackett and Heath shouldered the scoring load for the Braves with 17 and 16 points, respectively. Both guards used dribble penetration to get to the basket for layups and each connected on 2-of-4 shots from beyond the arc. Mike Robinson tallied 12 points off the bench.

“We knew they were a pressure team and we felt we could drive the basketball,” Miller said. “We tried to attack them inside out but I thought we settled for too many jumpers. Our turnovers led to some easy baskets as well.”

Wingate started four freshmen, led by Jaime Vaughn’s 16 points. Vaughn’s 3-pointer from the top of the key with 18 seconds to play gave the Bulldogs a commanding 81-76 lead. Vaughn hit four of his team’s nine 3-pointers.

“This game gave us an emotional boost as a team,” Vaughn said. “We made a lot of mistake early but found a way to win at the end.”

UNCP will open Peach Belt Conference play Saturday on the road against Clayton State at 3:30 p.m. The Braves will be away from home their next four games before returning to the English E. Jones Center on Dec. 20 to take on Lander.