SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Gardner-Webb made several runs at the lead in the second half Saturday night, but a deep early hole proved too much to overcome in an 81-77 loss at Wofford.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (3-6) had their three-game win streak snapped by the Terriers (5-4), who drained 11-of-29 shots from long range – several after Gardner-Webb trimmed the lead to a single possession.

Gardner-Webb jumped out to a quick 8-3 lead in the early going, but Wofford heated up from long range and surged in front by as many as 15 late in the opening half before settling on a 48-37 lead at intermission.

The Runnin' Bulldogs came out of the locker room to go on an 8-0 run to trim the lead very quickly, but the Terriers responded to each Gardner-Webb rally throughout the half with a key three-pointer, sometimes late in the shot clock, or a follow shot from forward Messiah Jones to keep the visitors at arm's length.

Gardner-Webb closed to within a single point, 67-66, on a pair of Kareem Reid free throws with 4:50 remaining in the game and got a miss on the other end – but Jones followed with a dunk off the rim with 4:18 left to push Wofford's lead to 69-66.

Another follow shot from Jones and a three-pointer from Trevor Stumpe with 2:01 to play gave Wofford a 74-68 lead and Gardner-Webb would get no closer than three points the rest of the way.

Gardner-Webb shot 45.2 percent for the game (28-of-62), but were just 5-of-24 from long distance (20.8 percent). GWU also made 16-of-23 free throws (69.6%), but were out rebounded by the smaller Terriers by a 33-27 margin.

GWU did limit its turnovers, with only seven miscues in the game and held a sizable advantage (42-28) in paint scoring.

Eric Jamison, Jr., led all scorers with 22 points – tying a career-high – Jose Perez added 14 points, Ludovic Dufeal had 12 points and five rebounds, and Nate Johnson scored 10 to lead Gardner-Webb.

Wofford countered Gardner-Webb's inside advantage with a barrage of threes, making 11-of-29 chances (37.9%) to key the win. The Terriers also made 14-of-16 from the free throw stripe.

Jones had a career-high 18 points to lead the way, making 6-of-8 shots off the bench and six free throws. Tray Hollowell also had a big night off the bench with 16 points, Storm Murphy added 16 and Stumpe had 14 points in the win.

Wofford shot 50.0 percent overall (56.7 percent in the first half) and overcame 12 turnovers.

Gardner-Webb breaks for exams next week, before heading south to face Kennesaw State on the road Friday night (December 13).