BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb hits the road again on Saturday afternoon, traveling to face Campbell in the 2019 Big South Conference opener for both teams.

The game is set to tip at 4:30 pm as part of an afternoon doubleheader at Gore Arena and will stream live on ESPN+. Chris Hemeyer, Jerry Smith and Erin Summers will provide the call.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (10-5) have gotten off to a strong start against non-league foes, particularly in a red-hot month of December. Gardner-Webb posted its first perfect month of December since its move to Division I, posting seven wins – part of a larger eight-game streak that started on November 28.

The real meat of the schedule begins on Saturday, however, as Gardner-Webb ventures into a difficult environment against the always tough Fighting Camels (7-7) and the nation's leading scorer – Chris Clemons (29.6 ppg).

The two teams split last season's home-and-home, with both teams winning on the road. Gardner-Webb rallied from a large deficit to take an 82-80 overtime win last January in Buies Creek, but Clemons exploded for a game-high 33 points in a 78-70 win over GWU in Boiling Springs last February.

The two teams will meet just once in 2019 during the regular season as part of the Big South Conference's unbalanced schedule. Gardner-Webb will also play USC Upstate, Radford and Hampton only once on the league slate.

Head coach Tim Craft is 3-2 in Big South openers, including last season's home win over Liberty on December 30. Gardner-Webb has won three of its last four league openers overall.

The only time Gardner-Webb and Campbell dueled in a Big South Conference opener came on January 5, 2013 in Buies Creek – with the Fighting Camels outlasting GWU in a triple overtime thriller by a 93-81 score. The two teams met only once during the regular season in 2012-2013, but Gardner-Webb captured a 71-57 win over Campbell in the 2013 Big South Conference quarterfinals.

Saturday's game has the potential to be a shootout, with Gardner-Webb (82.9 ppg) and Campbell (78.5 ppg) both capable of putting together strong offensive outings.

In addition to the well-documented exploits of Clemons – the league's all-time leading scorer – Campbell has five men averaging at least 7.2 ppg so far this season. One of the Big South's elite big men, forward Andrew Eudy averages 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while blocking 17 shots and shooting a very strong 55.0 percent from the floor.

Clemons, Eudy, Cory Gensler, Isaac Chatman and Trey Spencer have all knocked down a solid percentage from three-point range – and key reserve Jordan Whitfield canned four treys in the win over Gardner-Webb last season.

Gardner-Webb is coming off a pair of strong defensive performances, an area that has improved overall in the past few weeks. The Runnin' Bulldogs remain balanced offensively, with four men averaging in double figures.

The senior inside-outside punch of David Efianayi (16.7 ppg) and DJ Laster (13.1 ppg) has been complemented well by the addition of standout swingman Jose Perez (16.6 ppg) and the expected emergence of guard Nate Johnson (10.1 ppg). Each of the quartet has scored at least 20 points once this season.

The team's most improved performer to date is hybrid forward Eric Jamison, Jr., who is averaging career highs in points (8.1 ppg) and rebounding (5.3 rpg) while playing 22.2 minutes per game. 

Graduate student Brandon Miller has come on of late, battling back from a preseason injury. The 6-foot-6, 245-pounder scored five points off the bench at Wake Forest and is beginning to make an impact in the post.

An excellent rotation at point guard has been bolstered by improved play from junior Christian Turner (4.5 ppg) and continued production from sophomore Jaheam Cornwall (5.9 ppg). Both are shooting above 40 percent from long range and the duo has combined for 80 assists. Junior wing Justin Jenkins is also contributing a career-high 11.3 minutes per game.

Two more freshmen have played solid roles this season, with 6-foot-8 forward Ludovic Dufeal logging valuable minutes in the paint (11.5 mpg) and wing Jaylen Alston (7.3 mpg) playing several roles when needed. 

All told, Gardner-Webb has gone 11 deep in many of its games, which should continue into conference play.