NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Gardner-Webb had four men score in double figures, but dropped its second game of the season Thursday night, falling 86-71 at Stephen F. Austin.
Julien Soumaoro came off the bench to score a team-high 14 points to pace that quartet. Quest Aldridge had 13 points,
Kareem Reid scored 12 and Caleb Robinson added 10 for the Runnin' Bulldogs (0-2).
The Lumberjacks (2-0) led 45-37 at halftime and saw Gardner-Webb trim the lead to five points early on in the second half on a layup by
Ludovic Dufeal. The home team eventually worked that lead to double figures on a pair of Roti Ware free thorws with 16:13 to play and used a 17-4 run late in the game to pull away.
The Runnin' Bulldogs shot 48.9 percent for the game (23-of-47) and made 7-of-18 from long range, but could not take full advantage at the free throw line or on the glass. Stephen F. Austin made 20-of-25 free throws, owned a 34-26 rebounding edge and shot 49.2 percent from the floor. The Lumberjacks attacked the offensive backboards effectively, grabbing 16 caroms on that end for 17 second-chance points.
Forward Nana Antwi-Boasiako led Stephen F. Austin with 21 points and seven rebounds. The 6-foot-9, 220-pounder made 13-of-14 free throws and had five offensive rebounds. Ware added 16 points, Latrell Jossell had 13 and Sadaidriene Hall scored 12 points for the Lumberjacks.
Gardner-Webb battled foul trouble on Thursday, with Soumaoro and Reid each collecting four and two more Runnin' Bulldogs saddled with three. Eight different 'Dogs had at least two fouls in the game.
Both teams were whistled for 24 fouls.
The game was tight early, on, with eight lead changes over the first nine minutes. Gardner-Webb surged in front 19-18 with 12:18 left before halftime, but Stephen F. Austin took the lead for good moments later. Gardner-Webb went deep into its bench, playing 10 men on Thursday night.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will return to the Carolinas next week, traveling to face top-ranked North Carolina on Tuesday, November 15 at 8:00 pm. The game will air live on the ACC Network and on ESPNCLT.com (Phil Constantino, Jim Morrison).
