BOILING SPRINGS – Nate Johnson scored 21 points and Gardner-Webb buckled down on Saturday for a 73-61 win over Campbell in Paul Porter Arena.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (12-15, 8-7 Big South) shot a strong 56.3 percent for the game, dominated play in the paint with 40 points scored and converted 16 layups in the victory. Eric Jamison, Jr., got free inside often for 16 points, Christian Turner added 10 and Kareem Reid scored eight to pace Gardner-Webb.

Ludovic Dufeal scored five points, grabbed seven rebounds and blocked five shots for the second game in a row to help protect the rim and anchor a defensive effort that limited Campbell (14-15, 5-12 Big South) to 37.5 percent from the floor and just .871 points per possession.

Gardner-Webb used a 15-6 run midway through the first half to build a 29-19 lead on a pair of Johnson free throws and pushed that lead to 32-21 with 3:52 to play in the half on a Jamison layup.

Campbell sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around a Justin Jenkins follow shot over the final 3:30 to pull within 34-27 at half-time.

The tide turned suddenly in the early moments of the second half, as Campbell clamped down on the defensive end and had a brief spurt of success on offense.

The result was an 11-4 run by the visitors that silenced a solid home crowd and put the Fighting Camels up 40-38 with 15:50 to play in the game.

Gardner-Webb had another big run left, however, and turned the game back in its favor.

After Austin McCullough drained a three with 14:09 to play that gave Campbell a 43-40 lead, Gardner-Webb responded with a decisive and quick 10-0 burst to retake the lead.

Johnson started the rally with a 19-foot jumper, Jamison converted an old-fashioned three-point play and Dufeal connected on a layup with 12:10 left to cap that rally. Campbell halted things with a Gerald Henderson bucket, but Reid scored on a tip-in to keep things going for the home squad.

The Camels got back within 52-49 on a pair of free throws, but Gardner-Webb went on a 7-0 spurt to push the lead to double figures once again.

Campbell would get no closer than seven points the rest of the way, as Gardner-Webb continued to shine on defense and made enough plays in close – and at the free throw line – down the stretch.

Much of Gardner-Webb's success came on drives and post moves, with only eight assists on 27 made baskets. GWU made 5-of-7 down the stretch and shot 65.0 percent in the second half (13-of-20).

More importantly, after allowing an average of 19.5 offensive rebounds over its previous two games, Gardner-Webb limited Campbell to only six offensive boards – and seven second-chance points – on Saturday.

GWU owned a 34-28 edge on the glass overall and led for 33:17 of game time.

Henderson led Campbell with 13 points and Corey Gensler added 11 points.

Gardner-Webb will have little time to rest, as it hosts Hampton on Monday night at 7:00 pm to finish a suspended game from January 20. GWU will begin Monday's resumption with a 39-31 lead. The game holds high importance, as both Gardner-Webb and Hampton are currently tied for third pace in the Big South standings with 2.5 games remaining.