ROCK HILL, S.C. – Jose Perez broke out for a career-high 35 points, including a buzzer-beater to force overtime, but Gardner-Webb dropped a 99-95 decision in triple overtime at Winthrop.

The Eagles (10-7, 4-0 Big South) hit three-pointers near the buzzer to send the game to a second and third overtime, extending the game twice when the Runnin' Bulldogs (5-11, 1-3 Big South) appeared to have a win in hand.

Gardner-Webb's Justin Jenkins missed a potential game-tying three-pointer himself with 5.7 seconds remaining in the third overtime and Winthrop made a key free throw for the final margin that ended a wild, physical and exhausting affair.

Perez caught fire early and put the Runnin' Bulldogs on his back for much of the game. The Bronx, N.Y., sophomore finished the game 11-of-17 from the floor with 11 free throws, six rebounds and six assists.

Jaheam Cornwall had 16 points and Eric Jamison, Jr., finished with 12 points and eight boards. Nate Johnson had a tough shooting night with seven points, but corralled a career-high 10 rebounds before fouling out. Ludovic Dufeal (nine points) and Kareem Reid also fouled out in the physical contest.

Gardner-Webb shot a solid 47.9 percent for the game, overcame 18 turnovers by forcing 19 – but were minus-9 on the glass, allowing Winthrop a 16-5 edge in second-chance scoring.

Trailing by two points with 11.1 seconds left in regulation, Gardner-Webb coach Tim Craft signaled a timeout and drew up a gem. Cornwall dribbled patiently and hit Perez underneath near the buzzer for a shot that rattled in to tie the game at 69 each.

Perez took control in the second overtime, scoring six of his teams 11 points in the period. Jamison made one of two free throws with 20 seconds left in the period to put Gardner-Webb up 80-64, but Winthrop found a way to pull even.

Chandler Vaudrin was fouled on a long three-point make, cutting the lead to 80-77, and missed the ensuing free throw off front rim. Winthrop crashed the boards and got the ball out to the corner for a desperation try from Hunter Hale – who drained the shot to send the game to a second overtime.

After Perez made a pair of free throws in the second overtime with 9.3 seconds left to put Gardner-Webb up 88-85, Vaudrin drained a three from deep up top to tie the game with just under four seconds to go.

Winthrop built as large as a five point lead midway through the third overtime, but Gardner-Webb battled back. A pair of Hunter Hale free throws after a GWU miss and foul put the hosts up 96-92 with 1:42 left, but Jenkins banged home a three with 43 seconds left to pull GWU within 96-95.

The Eagles' Josh Ferguson slipped open underneath on the next possession, however, and Winthrop led 98-95. Gardner-Webb had its chance to tie on an open look from Jenkins, but Kyle Zunic grabbed the miss and made a free throw at the other end to seal the game.

Winthrop shot 40.0 percent for the game (32-of-8) and made 25-of-40 at the charity stripe. Hale (25 points), Vaudrin (24 points) and Burns (14 points) led the way.

Gardner-Webb will enjoy a week off before getting back to action next Saturday at home against USC Upstate. That tip is set for 4:30 pm as part of a doubleheader on ESPN+.