BOILING SPRINGS – David Efianayi scored 19 of his game-high 28 points in the opening half and Gardner-Webb had seven men with at least eight points in a 93-70 win over Brevard College Tuesday afternoon.

Efianayi made 10-of-16 shots from the floor, pulled down five rebounds and did his damage in 26 minutes of time on the floor. Gardner-Webb (2-3) went deep into its bench early and often, with 10 players seeing at least 13 minutes of action.

D.J. Laster finished with 14 points and 11 rebounds for his third double-double of the season.

Gardner-Webb shot 58 percent for the game and made 10-of-20 shots from long range. The Runnin' Bulldogs had trouble with turnovers in the opening half, with 11 miscues in the opening 20 minutes – and 17 for the game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs averaged 1.16 points per possession for the game, with 22 layups or dunks. In addition to Efianayi and Laster, Gardner-Webb got nine points from Nate Johnson and eight apiece from Jaheam Cornwall, Eric Jamison, Justin Jenkins and Patrick Zeck.

Cornwall added six assists (no turnovers) and two steals in 21 minutes. Jenkins came off the bench and drilled all three of his field goal opportunities – scoring his eight markers in only three minutes on the court. Jamison (4-of-4) was also perfect from the floor. 

Brevard shot 57.7 percent in the second half to keep the Gardner-Webb within reach, but could not overcome 18 turnovers itself. Divese Cason scored 17 points and JaMarquis Johnson added 10 points for the Tornados (0-2).

Gardner-Webb jumped out to a 13-3 lead very quickly, and led by as many as 19 points in the opening 20 minutes. Brevard scored the final four points of the half to cut the lead to 45-31 at the break.

The Tornados came out firing in the early going of the second half, opening with a 7-0 run to trim the lead to 45-38. 

Gardner-Webb came alive from there, eventually working its lead to 22 points – 67-45 – with 10:33 to play.

Brevard shot 44.3 percent for the game (27-of-61), but made 10 three-pointers – including a few in transition. Cason was the top marksman, knocking down 4-of-6 from deep.  

Gardner-Webb travels to Wright State on Friday, with opening tip set for 7:00 pm. The game is the first of a three-game tournament in Dayton, Ohio.