BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb stormed out to a 24-6 lead early on, weathered a fierce VMI rally and eventually pulled away for an 88-77 win Friday afternoon in Paul Porter Arena.

Jaheam Cornwall scored a season-high 21 points for the Runnin' Bulldogs (1-3), who were playing for the first time on their home court. 

Jacob Falko scored 16 points, Ludovic Dufeal added 11 points, seven rebounds and two blocked shots, Lance Terry scored 10 points and Jamaine Mann came off the bench to score a career-high 10 points in just 16 minutes.

After Gardner-Webb built its sizable first half lead, VMI (5-3) would not be able to trim the margin back to single digits before intermission. Leading 40-29 at the break, Gardner-Webb saw the Keydets uncork an 11-2 march in just over three minutes, draining a trio of threes to take a 43-42 lead.

The Runnin' Bulldogs countered with a 5-0 spurt to retake momentum, but VMI led 52-50 on a layup by Jake Stephens with 12:55 to play.

Mann came alive soon after, scoring four in a row by himself to give Gardner-Webb the lead for good on a free throw with 10:48 to play. D'Maurian Williams followed with a jumper to put the 'Dogs up 56-52 and – after VMI cut the lead to 56-55 on another three – Falko sank a three and dropped in a layup for a 61-55 advantage with less than 10 minutes to go.

The clutch effort by Gardner-Webb's freshman class continued, as Mann scored again and was followed soon after by a pair of Jordan Sears free throws to put Gardner-Webb up 65-60 with 7:54 left on the clock.

Mann sank two more free throws with 5:25 left to push the lead back to double figures – 73-63 – and Gardner-Webb made enough key plays on both ends down the stretch to hold off VMI.

Gardner-Webb shot 55.6 percent from the floor overall – and connected at a 60 percent clip (15-of-25) in the second half. The 'Dogs made 11-of-25 from deep, 17-of-23 from the free throw line and coughed up only nine turnovers. GWU also held a 30-26 edge on the glass.

Cornwall drained 4-of-7 from deep and crossed the 900 career points plateau (904) on Friday.

Stephens led VMI with a game-high 26 points, aided by a 10-of-11 effort at the free throw line. Greg Parham added 12 points and six assists, while Kamdyn Curfman scored 16 points for the Keydets on five three-pointers.

VMI shot 43.6 percent from the floor after its cold start and made 13-of-33 from long range (39.4%). The Keydets knocked home 16-of-19 free throws.

Gardner-Webb will hit the road once more before the holidays, traveling to face No. 15 Florida State on Monday night (Dec. 21) at 8:00 pm in Tallahassee. The game will air live on RSN / Fox Regional Sports, with Bob Rathbun and Mike Gminski on the call.