DURHAM, N.C. – North Carolina Central defeated Gardner-Webb 58-53 on Saturday afternoon in a back-and-forth battle in Durham. Anthony Selden led the team posting his first double-double of the year.
 
The first twenty minutes of action saw the teams get into a defensive battle and keeping it close, not letting the opposition gain much of an advantage. The biggest margin of the afternoon during the period was GWU up 19-13 at the halfway mark before NC Central went on a 7-0 run to regain the lead less than three minutes later. The score at the break stood tied at 27-27.
 
The second half saw never team able to get away from the other as well, but the Eagles led for most of the period. GWU brought the score back to 45 each with 5:14 left to play. NCCU scored the next two buckets and never allowed the match to be tied again, converting on their late free throw attempts to hold on for the win despite the Gardner-Webb rally.
 
Selden led the team in scoring and rebounding, finishing with 14 and 11. Selden also added five rejections to his night to tie a career-high in the category. Caleb Robinson was next on the team in both categories with 12 points and 9 boards. Robinson also had a pair of blocks and a steal.
 
Gardner-Webb will look to get back on track on Wednesday as the 'Dogs hit the road to play in Cullowhee, N.C. at Western Carolina at 7:00 p.m. Following the game against the Catamounts, GWU will have its regular season home opener on Saturday, December 3 against Chattanooga at 2:00 p.m.