Postgame Interview with Head Coach Tim Craft
BOILING SPRINGS – Gardner-Webb surged to a 28-point halftime lead and stretched its advantage to as many as 41 in the second half while cruising to its fourth consecutive win on Monday night, 83-58, over North Carolina Central inside Paul Porter Arena.
Gardner-Webb (4-3) shot a blistering 63.3% in the first half (19-of-30) and hit at a 57.1% clip from 3-point land (8-of-14) while holding the Eagles to just 21 points over the opening 20 minutes of play.
For the second-straight game, four Runnin' Bulldogs finished in double figures. Sophomore
D'Maurian Williams paced both teams with 16 points and dished out a career-high five assists. Junior
Kareem Reid was once again a perfect 6-of-6 from the floor with 14 points and a game-high four blocks, and freshman
Julien Soumaoro went for 14 points and five rebounds.
Graduate
Zion Williams added 10 points and seven rebounds, tied for a team-high in boards with three other GWU players, including Williams, senior
Ludovic Dufeal and sophomore
Anthony Selden.
Overall, Gardner-Webb executed at its highest level on both ends of the floor as it posted season-highs in assists (22) and blocks (10) while out-rebounding NCCU by seven, 43-36. The 'Dogs earned 17 second-chance points to only six for the Eagles, who were held to just 32.8% from the field (20-of-61) and 22.7% from downtown (5-of-22) on the night.
It took just under 10 minutes of action in the opening frame for GWU to extend its lead to double digits for the first time. Leading 16-12 with 11:33 to play, Williams knocked down a trio of 3-pointers as the Runnin' Bulldogs poured in 13 points in just under two and a half minutes to race out to a 17-point advantage, 29-12.
The lead continued to grow as shots continued to fall early and often for the Red and Black. Reid had his way down low on the block, making all six of his shot attempts in the first half, and the 'Dogs capped off an 18-0 run with a 3-pointer from Soumaoro as the first-half edge stretched to as many as 33, 49-16, with 3:56 still remaining before the break.
Not finished pouring it on the Eagles just yet, Gardner-Webb kickstarted the second half with another barrage of baskets. Dufeal got into the scoring action with a bucket in the paint, and Soumaoro and Selden combined for an additional three triples as the lead grew all the way to 41 with 5:19 remaining, 75-34.
Gardner-Webb had 10 different players finish the night with at least one basket.
The Runnin' Bulldogs have combined to average 90.0 points during their current four-game winning streak while holding opponents to just 58.3 points. Three of GWU's last four opponents have all been held to under 60 points.
With its four-game home stand now concluded, Gardner-Webb will look for its fifth win in a row and its first on the road this season when it travels to Greenville, N.C. on Saturday, Dec. 4 to face off against East Carolina. Tipoff inside Williams Arena at Minges Coliseum is slated for 3 p.m.
