BOILING SPRINGS - Stony Brook forced four Gardner-Webb fumbles Saturday and held the Runnin' Bulldogs scoreless in a soggy second half to take a 24-14 win in what was a key Big South Conference matchup.

The win gives Stony Brook (5-4, 4-0 Big South) a commanding lead in the league race with only two games remaining - at Charleston Southern (11/14) and vs. Liberty (11/21). Gardner-Webb (5-3, 2-1 Big South) came into the game rated No. 2 nationally in turnover margin (+13) and had fumbled just three times in its previous seven games this season. The turnovers Saturday proved lethal, particularly in the second half. GWU led 14-7 at the break on the strength of Stan Doolittle's 175 total yards and two touchdowns - a 27-yard run and a 25-yard strike with 59 seconds left to Marquis Sanders. After stopping Stony Brook's first drive, the Runnin' Bulldogs set up shop at their own 14-yard line early in the third quarter, but Patrick Hall fumbled on second down - which Stony Brook's Arin West scooped at the 16 and score to tie the score, 14-14, with 11:04 remaining in the quarter.

Gardner-Webb responded with a strong drive to the Stony Brook 25-yard line, but Hall fumbled on first down to halt a prime scoring chance. The Seawolves went ahead with 1:46 to play in the third quarter, after stuffing GWU on three plays at midfield to take over on downs. The GWU defense held the visitors to a field goal, but Wesley Skiffington's 27-yarder put Stony Brook up 17-14.

Gardner-Webb again drove to midfield, but a sack on third down forced another punt - and GWU would stall on its next two drives as well in the fourth quarter, and Stony Brook took advantage. The Seawolves went to the ground and pushed their way down to the Gardner-Webb 21-yard line with 2:35 left in the game, chewing up valuable time with two short runs on third downs near midfield to keep the drive alive. Quarterback Michael Coulter then delivered an insurance score on 3rd-and-9, connecting with a diving Jordan Gush in the end zone to put Stony Brook up 24-14 with only 2:29 left.

Gardner-Webb drove to midfield again, but a fumbled snap ended any thoughts of a rally. Gardner-Webb outgained the Seawolves 315-287 and had 19 first downs, with Stan Doolittle totaling 261 yards of total offense (198 passing, 63 rushing, 2 TD) to lead the way. Stony Brook got 73 yards rushing on 18 carries from Conte Cuttino, with 50 of those yards coming in the fourth quarter. Coulter was 9-of-22 for 158 yards and two scores - including a 30-yard strike to Donald Porter in the second quarter that tied the game, 7-7. West had 11 tackles, a forced fumble, a 16-yard fumble return touchdown and a pass break up to pace the Seawolves' defensive effort. Tyler Santucci had 12 stops (seven solo), a forced fumble and fumble recovery as well.

Marty Patterson made 14 tackles (seven solo) and had 2.0 tackles for loss. Mario Brown added 12 stops (six solo), and Quinnon Isom had seven hits. Dami Teniola collected seven hits as well in his second straight start.

Gardner-Webb hits the road next week for a game with Coastal Carolina in Conway, S.C., with kickoff set for 12:30 in Brooks Stadium - as the Chanticleers celebrate Homecoming. Stony Brook will enjoy its open date on Saturday with a chance to re-energize for the final two-game stretch run.