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The Matchup
Gardner-Webb and Winthrop meet for the first time in postseason play on Saturday afternoon, with the sixth-seeded Runnin' Bulldogs and the second-seeded Eagles squaring off in the semifinal round of the Big South Tournament. Winthrop is 14-9 all-time against Gardner-Webb, including a 71-58 win over the Runnin' Bulldogs in Paul Porter Arena earlier this season.
Last Time Out - Gardner-Webb 69, Coastal Carolina 63
Gardner-Webb picked up its first win of the season when trailing at halftime, rallying from a 13-point deficit at the break to upset third-seeded Coastal Carolina and advance to the semifinal round of the Big South Tournament for the second straight season. Tyrell Nelson led all scorers with 21 points to go along with nine boards, as Harold McBride and Adonis Burbage added 15 and 14 points, respectively.
It's The Defense's Turn To Shine
The Runnin' Bulldogs' defensive corps has stepped up during the most critical stretch of the season, holding their opponents to 71 points or less in three of the last four games and limiting them to a 34.0 percent clip from downtown in that span. Gardner-Webb's defensive progress was on display in the second half of its quarterfinal win over Coastal Carolina, as the Runnin' Bulldogs surrendered just 27 points and held the Chants to a 30.3 percent mark from the floor in the final period.
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 32 contests. The duo has combined for 213 assists and 113 steals thus far, which equate to 49.1 and 43.4 percent, respectively, of the team's totals this season.
Taking a Look At Winthrop
Second-seeded Winthrop advanced to the semifinal round with a 67-53 win over 10th-seeded Presbyterian on Friday, pushing its overall record to 22-8. Keon Johnson leads three Eagles in double figures at 19.4 points per game, with Jimmy Gavin close behind at 18.1 points per contest. Xavier Cooks paces Winthrop on the glass with 6.9 boards per contest while also contributing 14.6 points per game.
