HAMPTON, Va. – Gardner-Webb showed some rust after a seven-day break from action on the court, falling too far behind early in the second half of an 87-77 road loss at Hampton Thursday night.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (11-15, 7-7 Big South) saw their three-game league win streak snapped in the process, as Hampton (12-15, 7-7 Big South) drew even with GWU in the standings with 3.5 games for each team remaining.

The two will square off again on Monday night in Boiling Springs – after Gardner-Webb hosts Campbell on Saturday and Hampton travels to first-place Winthrop the same day. The two will play the second half of a January 20 game delayed at the half due to a shot clock malfunction. Gardner-Webb leads that suspended game by a 39-31 score at the break.

Eric Jamison, Jr., scored 21 points and Nate Johnson had 20 for Gardner-Webb in Thursday night's battle. Hampton held a 41-39 lead at the break, but shot out of the locker room on fire and built a 67-44 lead with 12:32 remaining in the game.

The Runnin' Bulldogs responded with a 14-2 run to trim the lead all the way to one point, 69-68, on two Johnson free throws with 6:18 on the clock – but Hampton responded with an 8-1 run that effectively put the game on ice.

Ben Stanley scored five points in that spurt, and Gardner-Webb could not get back into its groove on either end.

Johnson and Jaheam Cornwall each hit three-pointers in the final minute to get the margin closer, but Hampton made enough free throws to salt the game away.

Gardner-Webb shot 57.1 percent in the opening half, but cooled to 48.3 percent after a tough final 20 minutes. In addition to Jamison and Johnson, Cornwall hit for 14 points and had five assists. 

Ludovic Dufeal finished with seven points, four rebounds and five blocked shots – and Christian Turner dished off a career-high 10 assists before fouling out. Gardner-Webb didn't help its self at the charity stripe, making just 11-of-20 in the game (55%).

Hampton dominated the glass, particularly on the offensive end, finishing the night with a 46-31 edge overall and 19 offensive rebounds. That led to five more field goal attempts and 30 free throws on the night for the Pirates.

Jermaine Marrow had 33 points (15 made free throws), Stanley added 19 points and Davion Warren added 15. Greg Heckstall finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds – with 13 coming on the defensive end.

Gardner-Webb returns home for a Saturday date with Campbell. Senior night, which will honor the trio of Eric Jamison, Jr., Justin Jenkins and Christian Turner is set for a 5 pm tip. The game also mark's the school's second annual Hoopscoming event, with all men's and women's basketball alumni invited to attend a special time on campus and in Paul Porter Arena.