BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Gardner-Webb put three in double figures and posted a dominant effort on the backboards and at the free throw line to take a gritty, 67-65, road win at Campbell Thursday to open Big South Conference play.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (5-8, 1-0 Big South) won for the first time on the road this season and welcomed back All-Big South guard Nate Johnson after a three-game absence due to injury. The Miami, Fla., junior poured in 17 points and pulled down eight rebounds in his return.

Johnson's pair of free throws with 53 seconds left provided the final margin.

After Campbell (9-4, 0-1 Big South) pulled within two points on a Cedric Henderson trey with 46 seconds to go, Gardner-Webb missed twice on its next possession and needed a defensive stop after a steal by Cory Gensler with 11.4 seconds left. 

Gardner-Webb sophomore Ludovic Dufeal – blessed with a 7-foot-3 wingspan – swatted away a close shot by Jordan Whitfield with two ticks on the clock and rebounded another Henderson attempt at the buzzer to preserve the win.

The game was tied at the half, 31-31, and neither team was able to create much separation until a 10-0 run by Gardner-Webb. Jose Perez nailed a three-pointer to cap that rally, giving the Runnin' Bulldogs a 57-47 lead with 7:31 to play.

Campbell would pull as close as two points, but would not be able to tie or retake the lead.

The game featured 12 ties or lead changes (nine ties) and saw each team hold a double figure lead. 

Eric Jamison, Jr., led all scorers with 19 points and nine rebounds and Gardner-Webb shot 45.5 percent for the game from the floor (20-of-44), making 10 field goals in each half.

The Runnin' Bulldogs got 10 points from Perez and nine points from Dufeal. GWU made its mark at the free throw line, getting into the lane often. When Jamison wasn't driving for close buckets, the 'Dogs went to the line, making 24-of-29 free throws (82.8 percent).

Gardner-Webb also owned the glass, pulling down 39 rebounds (12 offensive) for a +14 edge over the perimeter-oriented Camels.

Johnson was effective all over the court Thursday, making 3-of-6 field goals (1-of-1 from three), knocking down 10-of-11 free throws, pilfering two steals and pulling down eight rebounds (five defensive) in 33 minutes.

The 6-foot-3 guard was injured in a narrow loss at Wofford and missed losses to Kennesaw State and Virginia Tech on the road while healing up.

Campbell shot 40.0 percent for the game, making eight three-pointers and scoring 15 points off of 19 Gardner-Webb turnovers (13 Campbell steals). 

Five men scored in double figures, led by Henderson's 14 points. Gensler added 11 points and the trio of Trey Spencer, Milos Stajcic and Whitfield each had 10.

Gardner-Webb continues its Big South Conference season on Saturday, opening the home slate at 3:00 pm vs. Presbyterian. GWU is riding a 10-game win streak in Paul Porter Arena against Big South foes, dating back to the end of the 2017-2018 season.

For ticket information regarding Saturday's home game, call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340.