BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb shot exactly 58.1% from the floor (36-of-62) for the second consecutive game on Wednesday night to hold off Columbia International inside Paul Porter Arena, 90-78.
 
After a difficult three-game road stretch to open the season, the Runnin' Bulldogs (2-3) have now notched back-to-back wins since returning to Boiling Springs during the current four-game homestand.
 
Gardner-Webb capitalized on its size once again on Wednesday as it outscored Columbia International (5-3) 64-32 on points in the paint. GWU, who tallied 62 points in the paint its last time out, has now combined for 126 total points down low over its last two contests.
 
Sophomore D'Maurian Williams went 11-of-16 and poured in a career-high 27 points for his second 20-plus outing through five games. He connected from deep three times and snatched a team-high nine rebounds to go along with two assists, one block and one steal.
 
For the third time this season, Kareem Reid did not miss a single shot as the junior forward finished 8-of-8 from the field with 18 points, seven rebounds, two assists and a game-high three blocks. Lance Terry went 7-of-12 for 15 points – his fifth double-digit scoring outing in five games – while eight different 'Dogs found the scoring column on the night.
 
In a back-and-forth first half, Williams helped Gardner-Webb keep pace with 20 points through the first 20 minutes to counter six 3-pointers from Columbia International (5-3). The Rams led by as many as seven points in an opening frame that featured seven ties and a total of 12 lead changes.
 
Coming back out of the locker room at halftime up three, 46-43, a bucket from Jordan Sears and free throws from sophomore Anthony Selden and Reid pushed GWU to its largest lead of the evening up to that point, 55-45, with 15:54 to play.
 
Another two free throws two minutes later extended Gardner-Webb's lead into double digits for the first time, 60-49, but Columbia International continued to grow closer over the next six minutes of action, chipping away until a dunk from DiAnthony Heathcock put the Rams back to within three with 7:59 to play, 69-66.
 
Sears immediately answered with a layup on the other end, and Williams soon thereafter went on a person 5-0 scoring run as the Runnin' Bulldogs maintained a multiple-possession advantage for the remainder of the contest before opening up a 12-point lead in the final minute – their largest of the night – with a pair of free throws from graduate Zion Williams.
 
Sears and Williams each paced the 'Dogs with four assists apiece, while Williams also added eight rebounds and a team-high two steals in 27 minutes of action. Freshman Ademide Badmus grabbed seven rebounds of his own as GWU out-rebounded the Rams by a 41-27 margin overall.
 
With consecutive wins now registered, Gardner-Webb will aim to make it three-straight following Thanksgiving as the Runnin' Bulldogs return to Paul Porter Arena for an in-state clash with Western Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 27 at 2 p.m.