BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb overcame a very chilly shooting night from the floor Tuesday, making 26-of-33 free throws to beat Coker, one 73-59, in Paul Porter Arena.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-5) have won three in a row and were led Tuesday by Eric Jamison, Jr., with 22 points and Jose Perez with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Nate Johnson added 11 points.

Coker (2-4) used the three-point shot to stake itself to a surprising early lead, but Gardner-Webb used an 8-0 run to go in front 26-23 with 4:11 to play in the opening half. After the Cobras used a tip in to re-take a lead late, Kareem Reid finished the half with an old-fashioned trifecta for a 31-30 lead at the half for the home team.

The Runnin' Bulldogs opened the second half with a decisive 20-3 run and never looked back despite a difficult night shooting the basketball from long range. GWU missed its first nine three-pointers and finished just 3-of-18 (16.7%) from three-point land.

The 'Dogs chose to drive on the smaller Cobras in the second stanza and took advantage at the charity stripe to build a double figures lead. GWU made its first 16 free throws in the half and finished the game by making 26-of-33 free throws (78.8%).

Gardner-Webb finished the night 22-of-55 from the floor overall (40.0 percent), but knocked in 51.4 percent from two-point range (19-of-37) and connected on 13-of-18 layups or dunks (72.2%).

In addition to the three double figures scorers, Gardner-Webb got six points, three rebounds and three blocks from Reid – primarily in the opening half. Jaheam Cornwall added five points and three assists.

Coker was 22-of-65 from the floor (33.8%), but made 10 three-pointers to keep the game from getting out of hand. The Cobras got 17 points from Chandler Lindsey and 10 points from Roy Ellis.

Gardner-Webb will hit the road again on Saturday, December 7, traveling down I-85 to take on defending Southern Conference champion Wofford at 7:00 pm in Spartanburg, S.C.