Postgame Interview with Tim Craft

BOILING SPRINGS – Anthony Selden scored a career-high 20 points and Gardner-Webb powered past Hampton in Saturday's Big South Conference home opener inside Paul Porter Arena, 78-69.
 
Gardner-Webb (8-7, 2-0) held a lead for all but 10 minutes despite Hampton (4-8, 0-1) staying within single digits for the majority of the afternoon. GWU led by as many as eight in the first half before taking a 40-35 lead into the break, and the 'Dogs went on to stretch their advantage to 14 with 3:38 to play in the second half before ultimately closing out a nine-point victory.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs went 27 for 50 for a 54.0% clip from the field while shooting a season-high 52.9% (9 of 17) from 3-point range. It marks the second-straight game that the 'Dogs shot over 50.0%, a mark in which they have eclipsed six times through 15 games this season.

With the win, Gardner-Webb extends its winning streak to four games, its second four-game winning streak of the season. The Runnin' Bulldogs also improve to 2-0 in league play for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.
 
Fifteen of Selden's 20 points came during the opening frame, a first half in which Gardner-Webb shot a blistering 68.2% overall, the best field-goal percentage of any half this season. Selden hit on 8 of 10 attempts from the field and 3 of 4 tries from downtown, while also adding four rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks to round out a complete performance in front of the home crowd.
 
Lance Terry tallied 16 points and D'Maurian Williams added 11 points, five rebounds and three assists in just under 22 minutes for a GWU team that saw all 10 of its players who saw the court enter the scoring column for the second-straight game.
 
Kareem Reid brought down a a season and game-high nine rebounds to go along with six points, while Julien Soumaoro added seven and Ludovic Dufeal chipped in with six points, four boards and a block.
 
Hampton managed to erase Gardner-Webb's five-point halftime deficit early in the second half as the Pirates snatched a one-point edge just under two minutes into the final frame, 41-40. But a slew of lineup adjustments helped GWU regain form as the Runnin' Bulldogs used a Selden hook shot in the paint to claim a lead once again, 43-41.
 
Gardner-Webb would never trail again. Capped off by a pair of Terry free throws with 12:52 remaining, the 'Dogs used a 16-3 run to regather a 12-point advantage, 56-44. Hampton managed to cut its deficit to as little as six on three separate occasions, but the Runnin' Bulldogs held on to power past the Pirates over the final six minutes while increasing their to as many as 14 prior to the game's conclusion.
 
Despite their high shooting percentage from long range, the Runnin' Bulldogs did much of their damage down low, outscoring Hampton by 22 points in the paint, 36-14. GWU also outscored the Pirates 35-1 off the bench and 11-0 on the fast break.
 
Gardner-Webb will now look to remain perfect in Big South play when it goes for its fifth consecutive win on Wednesday, January 12 at home against Presbyterian. Tipoff against the Blue Hose is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside Paul Porter Arena.