BOILING SPRINGS – Jamaine Mann scored 12 points and pulled down a career-best 12 rebounds to lead Gardner-Webb to a 59-53 win over Presbyterian in a physical Big South Conference battle.

The Runnin' Bulldogs (7-11, 6-7 Big South) led 26-14 at halftime after limiting the Blue Hose (5-10, 3-8 Big South) to just 18.5 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes. Neither team found its shooting touch for much of the night, with defense, rebounding and free throws turning into the key themes in front of a national television audience.

Gardner-Webb was the more active team for much of the second half and built its lead to 41-21 with a 15-5 run soon after halftime. D'Maurian Williams found his touch from deep, draining a pair of three-pointers late in that stretch. Mann's jump hook with 10:35 to play pushed the margin to 20 points.

The Blue Hose slowly began to find a better pace and responded with a 7-0 run that grew into a 13-3 spurt over the next seven minutes. 

A hook shot from Winston Hill with 3:48 left cut the lead down to single digits – 44-36 – but Jordan Sears sank two free throws and Jaheam Cornwall drilled a three to put the 'Dogs back up 49-36 with 3:06 to play.

With Presbyterian forced to foul in the final 90 seconds, Gardner-Webb left the door open with a few misses at the free throw line, but made those shots when it counted. 

The Blue Hose got within 55-50 on another Hill bucket with 33.8 seconds left – but Mann calmly made three of his next four free throws to push the lead to eight points. 

A late three-pointer by Rayshon Harrison marked Presbyterian's final tally of the game and Cornwall made one more free throw with 3.8 seconds left for the final margin.

In addition to Mann's big night – which came in his first start of the season – Gardner-Webb got 10 points each from freshman classmates Sears and Williams. Kareem Reid was solid in 24 minutes of action, scoring eight points to go with seven boards and four blocked shots.

Gardner-Webb shot 31.3 percent for the game (15-of-48) and made 4-of-20 from long range (20.0 percent). The 'Dogs made the biggest difference at the free throw line, connecting on 25-of-33 attempts (75.8 percent) – showing quick improvement in an area the coaching staff emphasized over the past week.

Mann was 8-of-10 at the stripe, Reid made all four of his attempts and Jacob Falko was 5-of-7. Both Cornwall and Sears made 3-of-4 attempts.

Harrison led Presbyterian with 20 points on a 6-of-21 shooting night and corralled nine rebounds and two steals. Hill finished with 13 points and nine boards for the Blue Hose, who shot 29.3 percent for the game (17-of-58) and 6-of-28 from long distance (21.4 percent).

Presbyterian was 13-of-17 at the free throw line and pulled back into contention by attacking the glass late. The Blue Hose held a 40-39 advantage on the glass, which was aided by 17 offensive caroms. That led to 10 second-chance points.

The two teams will battle once again on Friday night, with opening tip now set for 7:00 pm in Paul Porter Arena. The game will stream live on ESPN+, with Phil Constantino and Coach Jerry Dunn.