BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb men's basketball will host Presbyterian Saturday afternoon at 3:00 pm in the Big South Conference home opener for the Runnin' Bulldogs.

Gardner-Webb (5-8, 1-0 Big South) is riding a two-game win streak after a gritty, 67-65 win at Campbell on Thursday night to open league play. Presbyterian (4-10, 1-0 Big South) has also won two straight after a buzzer beater to top UNC Asheville in Clinton, S.C., Thursday evening.

The game is a continuation of a series that began on January 8, 1977, with Gardner-Webb holding a 28-21 edge overall. That includes wins in 11 of the last 12 games, although the two teams did split last season's series. Presbyterian won on its home court, hitting three free throws near the buzzer for a 103-101 overtime victory.

Gardner-Webb responded with a 78-70 win in Paul Porter Arena last February 27, part of a 13-0 record on its home court last season.

Head coach Tim Craft's team has played well overall in Boiling Springs of late, forging a 28-3 record in Paul Porter Arena (90.3 percent) since the end of the 2016-2017 season. That includes wins in 16 of the last 17 games.

Senior forward Eric Jamison, Jr., continues to enjoy a breakout season, producing All-Big South caliber numbers so far. The 6-foot-6 standout leads the team with an average of 15.1 points per game, but has gone for 19.6 points per game over his last seven starts.

That includes a 19-point, nine-rebound effort at Campbell on Thursday night.

All-Big South swingman Jose Perez (13.8 ppg, 6.8 reg, 3.7 app) continues to lead the team in rebounding and assists, while Jaheam Cornwall (10.8 ppg) is the team's most accurate shooter from long range – knocking home 44.9 percent of his chances from three-point land.

All-Big South guard Nate Johnson (8.7 ppg) returned from a long injury recovery on Thursday night and was immediately up to the task, scoring a season-high 17 points to go with eight rebounds and strong defense in the win.

Gardner-Webb has turned to the duo of Ludovic Dufeal and Kareem Reid inside for much of the season, with that pair combining to block 37 shots and pull down 7.5 rebounds per game. Dufeal (7-foot-3 wingspan) and Reid (7-foot-5 wingspan) are two of the longest post players in the Big South.

Presbyterian, under first-year coach and alum Quinton Farrell, has gotten strong production from returning center Cory Hightower. The 6-foot-7 sophomore leads the team with 12.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game – and had 18 points in the win over UNC Asheville Thursday night.

Chris Martin, who hit Thursday's game winner on a coast-to-coast drive, and Ben Drake each supply 9.9 points per game for the Blue Hose.

Saturday's game will stream live on ESPN+, with Fabian Fuentes and Brendan Boylan on the call. For more information on tickets, call Gardner-Webb athletics at (704) 406-4340. Tickets will be available at the door.