BOILING SPRINGS – Jose Perez notched a triple-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists to lead Gardner-Webb to a 97-60 win over Savannah State Saturday in the home opener at Paul Porter Arena.

Gardner-Webb (4-5) played its first eight games away from its home court – including five true road games – and looked very comfortable playing in Boiling Springs on Saturday afternoon.

Perez made 7-of-11 shots, pulled down eight of his rebounds on the defensive end and notched his 10th assist on a pass to Justin Jenkins for a three-pointer with 7:44 to play in the game. It was Gardner-Webb's first triple-double since Bruce Fields did so against Voorhees on February 3, 2001.

Gardner-Webb had five men in double figures, with Nate Johnson (15 points), DJ Laster (14 points), David Efianayi (13 points) and Jenkins (12 points) enjoying solid afternoons – and Jenkins' total marking a career-high for the Knoxville, Tenn., guard.

The Runnin' Bulldogs ran often to open up a 49-29 lead by halftime, harassing Savannah State (3-7) and taking advantage of missed shots and turnovers to get out in transition. The lead reached double figures when Brandon Miller knocked down a pair of free throws with 12:39 to play before halftime – and Gardner-Webb created plenty of cushion the rest of the way.

The lead grew to as large as 40 points in the second half. All 11 players who saw action in the game for Gardner-Webb scored.

Gardner-Webb shot an even 50.0 percent from the floor Saturday, making 36-of-72 chances and 11-of-32 (34.4 percent) from long distance. The Runnin' Bulldogs held a 53-42 edge on the glass and posted a 48-14 edge in paint scoring.

GWU also held a 16-2 edge in transition scoring, scored 21 points off of Tigers' turnovers and shared the ball extremely well early – resulting in 28 assists on 36 made baskets.

Gardner-Webb went deep into its bench, with Jaylen Alston scoring seven points and pulling down 11 rebounds in just 14 minutes. Jenkins also had four assists in addition to his 12 points off the bench and freshman walk-on Kennedy Kincaid scored the first points of his career on a three-pointer late in the game.

Savannah State was limited to 28.4 percent shooting in the game (21-of-74), but made 13 three-pointers. Jaquan Dotson (11 points) and Tyrell Harper (10 points) led the Tigers' scoring efforts. Romani Hansen came off the bench to score nine points and pull down 11 rebounds.

Gardner-Webb will continue its four-game homestand on Thursday morning, hosting Bob Jones at 11:00 am as part of annual Education Day festivities. For more information call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340.