BOILING SPRINGS – Jaheam Cornwall scored a career-high 32 points, but Gardner-Webb could not overcome a slow start and lost a 78-71 decision at Longwood Friday afternoon.

Cornwall scored 27 of his career-high total after halftime, keying a major second half surge for the Runnin' Bulldogs (8-14, 7-10 Big South). After bolting to a 26-10 lead early on, Longwood continued to keep its distance until halftime and still led 35-19.

An early 5-0 spurt by the Lancers early in the second half pushed the lead all the way to 21 points and Gardner-Webb seemed down for the count. Cornwall wouldn't allow that to happen. The Brooklyn, N.Y., senior scored 15 points over the next 7:17 to spark a 25-9 run that pulled the Runnin' Bulldogs within 49-44 by the 10:37 mark.

Longwood slowly trotted back to an eight-point margin, but Cornwall ignited another 12-4 spurt with a pair of free throws to tie the game – 60-60 – with 5:10 to play in the game. After the Lancers surged back in front, Cornwall pulled Gardner-Webb within 68-66 on back-to-back layups with 33 seconds to go. Longwood was able to seal the game at the free throw line, with Juan Munzoz hitting four in a row after Cornwall's three-pointer with four seconds left pulled Gardner-Webb within 74-71.

Cornwall's efforts helped Gardner-Webb shoot 55.6 percent in the second half, more than twice as efficient as the team's frigid 26.9 percent effort (7-of-26) in the opening 20 minutes. GWU also made 15-of-18 free throws in the second half after a 3-of-10 performance in the first.

In addition to Cornwall, Gardner-Webb got 14 points from freshman D'Maurian Williams and eight points from freshman Jordan Sears.

Longwood was led by Justin Hill's career-high 25 points off the bench. Thursday night's hero DeShaun Wade added 18 points and Munoz scored 15. The Lancers shot 42.6 percent for the game (23-of-54) and made more free throws (24-of-28) than field goals in the game.

The Lancers were aided by 15 Gardner-Webb turnovers, which helped fuel 17 fast break points.

The Runnin' Bulldogs will hit the road again next week to play at Radford on February 18 and 19. GWU is still awaiting official word on its final makeup game at USC Upstate.