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The Matchup
Gardner-Webb and Coastal Carolina meet in the quarterfinal round of the Big South Tournament on Friday evening with a berth in Saturday's semifinals on the line. The Runnin' Bulldogs are 9-10 all-time against the two-time defending Big South Tournament champions after Coastal edged GWU, 73-70, in the semifinals last season.
Last Time Out - Gardner-Webb 79, Campbell 69
Gardner-Webb advanced to the quarterfinal round of the Big South Tournament for the fourth straight season on Thursday, holding on for a 79-69 win over 11th-seeded and host Campbell with a superb effort from the floor. Harold McBride and Adonis Burbage paced the Runnin' Bulldogs with 18 points each, as Tyrell Nelson added his 11th double-double of the season with 12 points and a game-high 10 boards.
Shooters Coming to Life
Gardner-Webb's shooters have begun to emerge from their slumber over the past five games, shooting at least 42 percent in four of those contests and connecting on 53-of-126 (42.1 percent) from downtown in that span. The Runnin' Bulldogs hit at least 45 percent of their three-point attempts for the seventh time this season on February 18 with a 13-for-26 effort from long range against Charleston Southern. Dylan Poston, Adonis Burbage and Isaiah Ivey have combined for a 43-for-90 clip (47.8 percent) from distance in the last five games, with Ivey leading the way with a 14-for-21 (66.7 percent) effort from beyond the arc.
Two-Headed Monster
Senior Harold McBride and freshman Laquincy Rideau have combined to form a formidable one-two punch at the point for Gardner-Webb this season, entering the Big South Tournament accounting for more than 18 points, five rebounds and six assists per game through 31 contests. The duo has combined for 209 assists and 112 steals thus far, which equate to 49.1 and 43.8 percent, respectively, of the team's totals this season.
Taking a Look At Coastal Carolina
Coastal Carolina enters the Big South Tournament as the third seed and the event's two-time defending champion, having ended the regular season with an 18-10 overall record and a 12-6 mark in league play. Elijah Wilson leads four Chanticleers in double figures with 13.6 points per game, as Shivaughn Wiggins and Jaylen Shaw follow close behind at 13.1 and 11.5 points per contest, respectively. Badou Diagne averages 11.2 points and a team-leading 7.0 rebounds per game.
