Runnin' Bulldogs Fight Hard In 83-80 Loss To Bahamas All-Star Team
August 15, 2011 | Men's Basketball
NASSAU, Bahamas - Jason Dawson's half-court attempt to tie fell short at the buzzer, and Gardner-Webb dropped its first exhibition game against the Bahamas All-Star Team, 83-80, Sunday night.
The Runnin' Bulldogs came into Sunday expecting to play the Real Deal Shockers, but were instead matched up with the more powerful Bahamas All-Star Team - which featured five members of the island's national team. Playing a team filled with a healthy amount of international experience proved challenging for the young Gardner-Webb squad, which fought back to get back in the game several times in the second half.
"Like I told our guys before this trip and after this game, we are here to gain valuable experience, grow closer as a team and to get better," said head coach Chris Holtmann. "The challenge of playing a team with a wealth of international experience provided us with a good gauge. The All-Stars would be comparable to some of the best teams in our league, and I was proud of the way our kids fought back after a tough start. This was a great learning experience for us."
The Bahamas squad jumped out to a quick 19-9 lead, scoring 12 points on free throws in the first quarter and led by 10 at the half before Gardner-Webb got back into the game. Dawson scored 15 of his team-high 19 points in the final 20 minutes to pace the comeback, which saw the 'Dogs get within one possession several times in the final two quarters.
Dawson finished with five assists, four steals and just one turnover manning the point guard spot. He and four other newcomers paced the scoring for Gardner-Webb - with Donta Harper (13 points, three steals, two blocks), Kevin Hartley (13 points, eight rebounds), Tashan Newsome (nine points) and Max Landis (nine points, three rebounds) chipping in nicely in their first appearance in a GWU uniform. Center Mike Byron came off the bench to score eight points and block two shots for the 'Dogs.
Gardner-Webb held the All-Stars to just 38.0 percent shooting from the floor and forced 19 turnovers, but fell victim to a free throw shooting barrage by the hosts. The Bahamas squad made 30-of-52 free throws, outscoring GWU by 22 points at the charity stripe.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will wrap up their trip Monday night at 9:00 pm against the Commonwealth Giants.
