Big Second Half Pushes Gardner-Webb To 71-58 Win Over The Citadel
December 16, 2012 | Men's Basketball
Gardner-Webb (7-5) shot 61.3 percent in the final 20 minutes and started an 18-4 run with 17:52 to play - capping that rally on a Max Landis three-pointer with 12:47 left to take a 45-34 lead.
Citadel (3-5) led 26-23 at the break, but could not contain Gardner-Webb in the final 20 minutes. The Runnin' Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers, many leading to easy transition buckets. GWU held a 10-4 edge on the break, scored 44 of its points inside the paint and had a 20-11 edge on points off of turnovers.
Dylen Setzekorn scored 12 of his team-high 16 points in the second half for the visiting Bulldogs and Mike Groselle added 14 points and 15 rebounds before fouling out.
In addition to Harper's big night, Gardner-Webb got 16 points from Max Landis and Corey Hensley added 11. Harper knocked down 12-of-17 shots, including a pair of highlight-reel dunks, and added seven rebounds, two assists and a pair of blocks.
Landis came alive in the second half, scoring 12 of his markers after the break. The Indianapolis, Ind., native knocked in 2-of-3 shots from long distance in the half and made 5-of-6 free throws.
Point guard Tyler Strange dished off eight assists (one turnover) and helped control the ball during several key stretches. Gardner-Webb had just 11 turnovers in the game.
Citadel jumped out to a six points lead with 13:31 to play before halftime, but Gardner-Webb would not let the visitors pull away - clamping down defensively for the rest of the half.
Gardner-Webb finished the game hitting 47.5 percent of its shots (29-of-61), including a 19-for-31 effort (61.3 percent) effort in the second half. GWU overcame a cool 1-for-12 performance from long range in the first 20 minutes to hit 3-of-5 three-pointers in the second half.
Citadel did hold a 43-31 edge on the glass, but Gardner-Webb held the edge in the second half. GWU was out rebounded 28-13 in the first half, but owned an 18-15 advantage in its hot offensive stanza.
The Runnin' Bulldogs hit the road next, traveling to face East Carolina at 7:00 pm Tuesday night (December 18) in Greenville, N.C.
| Box Score (PDF) |
