BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb men's basketball will host Johnson & Wales (N.C.) University on Saturday afternoon, with opening tip set for 3:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena.
 
It will be the last game for the Runnin' Bulldogs (5-5) before final exams and is the third of four consecutive home games. Head coach Tim Craft's team has won three in a row and has averaged 92.0 points per game during that win streak.
 
Gardner-Webb's offensive balance, versatility and depth has been a key talking point through 10 games overall, with four men currently averaging in double figures. David Efianayi (16.7 ppg) and Jose Perez (16.6 ppg) have both gotten to the free throw line often, combining for both 75 makes, and DJ Laster (11.6 ppg) and Nate Johnson (11.6 ppg) are also dangerous scorers.
 
In addition to that high scoring quartet, Gardner-Webb has gotten double figures scoring at some point this season from four other players. Forward Eric Jamison, Jr., who has missed the last two games with an injury, has been the roster's most pleasant surprise with averages of 8.1 points and 6.0 rebounds per game – while shooting an efficient 60.4 percent from the floor.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs are shooting well as a team from long range, making 85-of-220 chances (38.6 percent) and have slowly started to figure out a more aggressive rebounding edge – Gardner-Webb is 4-1 when out rebounding opponents this season and just 1-4 when other teams hold the margin.
 
A positive assist/turnover ratio has also been a welcome adjustment from last season, with several high quality passers willing to share the basketball freely in 2018-2019.
 
Johnson & Wales (4-4) is based in Charlotte, N.C., and has already played a pair of Division I games this season – falling at UNC Greensboro (105-57) and The Citadel (129-93). First-year head coach Dan Larkin's team made 18 three-pointers in the loss at The Citadel and have averaged 79.4 points per game overall this season.
 
The Wildcats are led by wings Majerle Poole (16.9 ppg) and Robert Hobson (14.3 ppg). Each had 22 points in the loss to The Citadel and the duo combined for 11 of Johnson & Wales' 18 treys in that game.
 
For more information, call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340.