BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb men's basketball will play its long awaited home opener on Saturday afternoon, hosting Savannah State at 3:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-5) are fresh of a convincing win Wednesday night, taking down USC Upstate on the road by a 74-61 margin. That game marked the final contest in an eight-game swing away from home to open the season for Gardner-Webb – with five true road games in that mix.

Head coach Tim Craft's team fared relatively well against a difficult group of mid-major opponents, falling in overtime to red-hot Furman on November 13, beating Savannah State on the road on November 16, falling to an improved Eastern Illinois squad by a single point on November 22 and beating in-state foe UNC Wilmington by a comfortable margin on November 23.

Fans – students on campus and community members alike – are encouraged to come out in large numbers for Saturday's opener, which promises to be an entertaining game with two teams who enjoy an up-tempo pace.

Gardner-Webb enters the contest averaging 80.8 points per game over its last six contests and has five men averaging in double figures during that stretch – led by All-Big South guard David Efianayi and freshman sensation Jose Perez.

Efianayi is averaging 16.8 points per game overall through eight starts, just off his scoring pace last season. He has been very effective shooting from long range this season, knocking down 48.6 percent of his three-point chances.

Perez, from the Bronx, N.Y., was expected to play a major role – particularly scoring the basketball – coming into the season, but has exceeded expectations as both a scorer and facilitator. The 6-foot-5, 195-pound guard/forward has come off the bench in six of Gardner-Webb's eight games as a standout sixth man – averaging 16.4 points and 4.8 rebounds to date.

Another newcomer to the starting lineup – guard Nate Johnson – is averaging 11.1 ppg and has shown a deft touch from long range. Veteran DJ Laster is supplying a solid 10.6 points and 4.7 rebounds per game so far this season, his second as a starter.

Hybrid forward Eric Jamison, Jr., has been the team's most pleasant surprise, posting a pair of double-doubles already and averaging a career-high 8.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game while shooting 60.4 percent from the floor. Jamison made all nine of his field goal chances in Gardner-Webb's win over Savannah State earlier this year on the road.

As expected, the point guard tandem of Christian Turner and Jaheam Cornwall has worked well together, with Cornwall averaging 5.1 points per game and Turner providing 3.9 points per game.

Freshman post player Ludovic Dufeal has seen double figures minutes, as has veteran guard Justin Jenkins.

Savannah State is averaging a strong 82.6 points per game this season under head coach and former Georgetown great Horace Broadnax. The up-tempo style has produced 17.4 turnovers per game for opponents, while has translated into more than 20 points per game for the Tigers.

Not surprisingly, Savannah State has a balanced scoring attack, with four players averaging at least 11 ppg. Zach Sellers (11.8 ppg), Jaquan Dotson (11.6 ppg), Qua Smith (11.0 ppg) and Collins Joseph (11.0 ppg) are in double figures, with Jahlin Smith (9.9 ppg) just off that pace.

Saturday's game is set to tip at 3:00 pm and is the first of a four-game homestand for the Runnin' Bulldogs. The game will stream live on ESPN+, with Fabian Fuentes on the call. 

Tickets are available at the door. For more information call (704) 406-4340.