GAME PREVIEW: Gardner-Webb Resumes Non-Conference Play at Furman Saturday
December 11, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Game Notes | Live Stats | Video
The Lead - Top Storylines for Saturday's Game
1. The Matchup
Gardner-Webb and Furman meet for the fourth time overall and the third time in the last three years, with Gardner-Webb holding a 2-1 all-time record in the series. The Runnin' Bulldogs won the last meeting between the regional rivals last December, defeating the Paladins 74-68 behind a 19-point performance from Tyrell Nelson.
2. Senior Leadership
The Runnin' Bulldog starting five has featured at least three seniors in every game this season, with Harold McBride, Dylan Poston, Isaiah Ivey and Herve Aholode playing a big role in getting Gardner-Webb going in each of the team's first eight outings. Adonis Burbage has provided a significant scoring spark off the bench in each of the last six games, averaging 10.0 points per contest while knocking down 41.9 percent of his attempts from three-point range.
3. Craft Era Hits Year Three
Tim Craft is in his third season at the helm of the Gardner-Webb men's basketball program, having led the Runnin' Bulldogs to 38 wins over the past two years. A former assistant with the Runnin' Bulldogs in the mid-2000's, Crafted guided Gardner-Webb to a 20-15 mark last season, including a berth in the Big South semifinals as a No. 7 seed and a trip to the Collegiate Basketball Invitational.
4. Last Time Out - High Point 66, Gardner-Webb 64
Gardner-Webb saw its spirited second-half comeback fall just short last Saturday night against High Point, as the Runnin' Bulldogs nearly rallied from a 16-point halftime deficit in a narrow 66-64 loss. Tyrell Nelson led all players with game-highs of 20 points and 11 rebounds, including 16 and six in the second half, to account for his third double-double of the season.
5. Taking a Look At Furman
Furman is off to a 5-3 start this season with notable wins over Presbyterian, Appalachian State and Liberty. The Paladins were picked to finish fifth in the race of the Southern Conference regular season championship, with senior Stephen Crome tabbed to the Preseason All-SoCon Team. The Covington, Ga. native currently leads the Paladins in scoring at 15.3 points per game, while Matt Rafferty is nearly averaging a double-double with 11.1 points and a team-high 9.0 rebounds per contest.
