FARMVILLE, Va. – David Efianayi scored 26 and Jose Perez tied his career high with 24 points to lead Gardner-Webb to an 89-88 overtime win at Longwood Thursday night.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (15-9, 5-4 Big South) surpassed last season's win total with the result, but had to respond with a gutsy effort in the overtime period after seeing a 12-point advantage wilt away in the final three minutes of regulation.

Justin Jenkins' shot with nine seconds left gave Gardner-Webb an 87-86 lead in extra time and, after a Longwood (13-13, 3-8 Big South) miss on the other end, Jaheam Cornwall corralled the rebound, pitched ahead to Jose Perez – who found Eric Jamison, Jr., for a dunk with 2.2 seconds left for an 89-86 edge.

An odd ending ensued, as a technical foul was whistled after the play – and Shabooty Phillips sank two free throws to trim the lead to 89-88. Phillips got off a three-point attempt before the final horn, but it was off the mark.

The Runnin' Bulldogs jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the early going, but the Lancers slowly chipped away and took a 23-21 lead when Jaylon Wilson drained his second three-pointer in a row with 10:33 to play before the half. 

That lead grew to as large as seven points before Gardner-Webb responded with a burst to tie on Efianayi's three-pointer with 7:38 to play in the half. GWU eventually worked back in front by as many as five before heading into the break up by a single point.

Efianayi finished the half with a strong 5-of-6 shooting effort and 16 points. Perez added nine before the halftime horn. Longwood's Wilson was on fire, making all five of his field goals – including four threes – to finish with 14 points in just 10 minutes of action in the half.

Gardner-Webb led for much of the second half, with Longwood pulling even once on a Jordan Cintron three with 9:06 left in the game. Perez scored three in a row from there and Nate Johnson drove baseline for a SportsCenter worthy dunk with 6:58 left to put GWU up 64-59.

After a three by Juan Munoz with 4:26 left cut Gardner-Webb's lead to 69-64, the Runnin' Bulldogs went on a 7-0 run to lead 76-64 with 3:14 left on an Efianayi steal and layup.

The game went on its ear from there, but Gardner-Webb still led 76-67 with 1:11 remaining in regulation. A three-pointer from Phillips cut the lead to 76-71 with 37 seconds left – and a turnover led to a pair of made free throws (of three) from Jaylon Wilson with 21 seconds remaining to cut the lead to a single possession.

Gardner-Webb missed a chance to extend its lead at the free throw line with 16 seconds left, and Phillips drained another three pointer with nine seconds left to tie the score at 76. Gardner-Webb got a timeout and drew up a play, but Jaheam Cornwall's trey was off the mark at the horn.

Longwood surged in front early in overtime, but neither team could extend its lead past two points until the final moments. Perez made five free throws in the first three minutes of overtime to give Gardner-Webb an 83-82 lead and the two teams traded one-point leads until Jenkins got inside for his layup in the final 10 seconds for an 87-86 edge for Gardner-Webb.

Phillips missed on a drive to set up Gardner-Webb's final score – and the late game drama.

Gardner-Webb finished at an even 50 percent from the floor Thursday (30-of-60) and knocked down 9-of-24 shots from long range (37.5 percent). A 7-of-8 effort from the free throw line – keyed by Perez – helped GWU shoot 20-of-26 for the game (76.9 percent).

In addition to his career-high scoring effort, Perez added six assists – several on crisp, clutch passers – and four boards to go with a block and steal in 43 minutes. Efianayi made 8-of-11 shots (3-of-5 from three) and made 7-of-8 free throws to reach his 26 points. The Orlando, Fla., senior also had eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

DJ Laster came through with 12 points, Jenkins came off the bench with eight big points and Jamison had six.

Gardner-Webb was shorthanded Thursday, playing without starter Christian Turner at point guard. Jaheam Cornwall got the start and finished with eight points in 34 minutes. Brandon Miller and Ludovic Dufeal also saw action Thursday night.

Gardner-Webb improved to 4-1 this season in overtime games (3-0 Big South) and has won four in a row in extra time since December. Perez (22.2 ppg) and Efianayi (20.4 ppg) have been very effective in those five overtime contests.

Longwood live from deep, making 14-of-40 chances from the arc (35.0 percent) and shot 42.3 percent overall.

The Lancers were balanced, with six men in double figures. Wilson led the way with 19 points, JaShaun Smith added 14 points, Cintron and Munoz each had 13 and Phillips joined Spencer Franklin with 10 points.

The Runnin' Bulldogs snapped a four-game road losing streak in Big South Conference play, and will stay on the road against one of the most improved teams in the country Saturday afternoon.

Gardner-Webb will travel to face Presbyterian at 4:30 pm on January 9 in Clinton, S.C. The game will stream live on ESPN3, with Mike Gleason and Nate Ross on the call from the Templeton Center.