Runnin' Bulldogs Improving Steadily As Big South Season Approaches Thursday
November 30, 2011 | Men's Basketball
BOILING SPRINGS - Gardner-Webb will open its Big South Conference schedule at home on Thursday against league favorite UNC Asheville (5:30 pm) on the heels of a week that showed steady improvement on the court.
The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-5), despite a roster that includes eight new faces and five freshmen, has been very competitive in the early stages of the season and were only a handful of possessions away from sporting a record above .500 against a stout November schedule.
Three of Gardner-Webb's five losses have come by six points or less - and the Runnin' Bulldogs have either been tied or in the lead at halftime seven times in their first eight games.
"Playing away from our home court, which has grown into a tremendous advantage for us, was a challenge for such a young team," said GWU head coach Chris Holtmann, who's team played seven of its first eight games away from Boiling Springs. "A positive of that November schedule was the toughness I think our team started to show in the past week. Togetherness and toughness were two major factors in our win [Sunday] against a very talented Chattanooga team. Winning on the road is always a major challenge in college basketball, particularly at the end of a long stretch away from home."
Gardner-Webb has gotten major contributions from newcomers Max Landis (13.0 ppg) and Jason Dawson (12.3 ppg) in the backcourt, with 6-foot-11, 250-pound center Mike Byron (7.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.0 blocks per game) beginning to assert himself as a force in the paint. In his past three starts, Byron is averaging 11.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game - including an 18-point, 13-rebound effort in the win at Chattanooga.
Byron also had 16 points in a two-point loss at two-time defending NCAA runner up Butler, scoring eight points in each half. His effectiveness in the paint helped GWU open a 50-35 lead at halftime of that game.
Laron Buggs (7.3 ppg) and forward Kevin Hartley (6.9 ppg) have also shown an ability to make an impact in the scoring column for the Runnin' Bulldogs, which has provided balance and been a factor in the team's early season competitiveness.
UNC Asheville (3-4) comes into town with two of the league's five preseason All-Conference players in Player of the Year Matt Dickey and four-year starter J.P. Primm. The two combine to average nearly 31 of the team's 83.0 points per game, and have 60 of the team's 111 assists on the year.
The visiting Bulldogs are fresh off an 87-65 win over Pac-12 member Utah on Sunday, and lost a heartbreaker to No. 4 Connecticut (73-63) just two nights before. Asheville's four losses this season have come in competitive fashion at NC State, at home against then No. 1 North Carolina and on a neutral floor against UConn and preseason Southern Conference South Division favorite College of Charleston (68-66).
"Our league has posted some impressive wins and results so far, and Asheville is as good as advertised coming in," said Holtmann. "They have been very impressive in all of their games. Dickey and Primm are a handful for anybody, at any level. [Forward Chris] Stephenson and [wing Jaron] Lane are both averaging in double figures for them, and were key pieces for their NCAA Tournament run last season. They are a tough matchup across the board."
Opening tip for Thursday's game is set for 5:30 pm in Paul Porter Arena. Fans interested in tickets can call the Gardner-Webb athletic office at (704) 406-4340 for more information.
A special promotion will be held for Gardner-Webb Students Thursday. Due to the game's early start time, the first 150 students through the doors at Paul Porter Arena will be provided with a free Chick-Fil-A Sandwich and drink.
