HAMPTON, Va. – Jacob Falko scored 22 points Thursday afternoon to power Gardner-Webb to a key, 80-69 road win at Hampton.

The junior college transfer from Cecil (Md.) College scored 20 points in the first half, erasing an early deficit for the Runnin' Bulldogs (2-5, 1-1 Big South). Jaheam Cornwall added 17 points and six assists (one turnover) in a strong overall effort, while big man Kareem Reid connected on 6-of-7 field goals to supply 13 points and three rebounds.

D'Maurian Williams scored nine points off the bench and Jamaine Mann followed with eight. Gardner-Webb did its damage Saturday without leading scorer Lance Terry, who missed the game with an injury. Terry entered the game ranked fifth in the Big South at 15.5 points per game, while leading the circuit in free throw and three-point accuracy.

Gardner-Webb fell behind early again Thursday, but Falko heated up midway through the half. His three-pointer with 12:38 to play cut Hampton's lead to 21-15 and sparked a 15-5 run that put Gardner-Webb up 27-26 on another Falko three with 5:17 to play. Falko connected again from deep with 60 seconds left for a 43-31 cushion and sank a layup with 33 seconds to go before the half for a 45-31 lead.

Reid got free inside on back-to-back trips midway through the second half to push Gardner-Webb's lead to 70-50, but the Pirates had one last run remaining. After Reid gave GWU a 75-55 edge with 6:17 left, Hampton went on a 10-0 spurt to make things interesting by the three-minute mark.

Cornwall ended any chances of a comeback, however, draining a clutch three-pointer with 1:59 to play to put Gardner-Webb up 78-65. He added a pair of free throws with 68 seconds left to cap Gardner-Webb's scoring for the day.

The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 46.0 percent for the game (29-of-63) and were an effective 13-of-30 from long distance. Led by Cornwall's playmaking, Gardner-Webb posted a very healthy 18:7 assist/turnover ratio for the game and converted 22 points off of Hampton turnovers.

Davion Warren led the Pirates once again with 23 points, pacing four men in double figures.

Gardner-Webb returns home for its next Big South series, hosting Charleston Southern on Monday night (Jan. 4) at 6:00 pm and Tuesday (Jan. 5) at 4:00 pm. Both games will stream live on ESPN+.