BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Gardner-Webb posted historic numbers in their Wednesday victory over Carolina University of Winston-Salem, beating the Bruins 120-44.
It marked the program's first trip above the 120-point mark since scoring 125 in a win over Toccoa Falls on November 19, 2015.
Gardner-Webb and Carolina traded baskets in the first five minutes of the game. Carolina's Micah Cooper converted on a trio of free throws to tie the game at 14. GWU responded by going on to score the next ten points of the evening and take control of the game.
The 'Dogs also pieced together 11-0, 12-0, and 19-0 scoring stretches to push their lead to 66-19 at the end of the first half. The last 15 minutes of the period saw GWU outscore the Bruins 52-5 in total. Gardner-Webb hit on 62.8% (27-43) of their shots from the floor and 44.4% (8-18) from deep.
The second half saw much of same as Gardner-Webb outscored CU 54-25. GWU set the tone early for the period as they netted the first six points.
The Runnin' Bulldogs had all 11 players score with seven finishing in double figures.
DQ Nicholas and
Anthony Selden led the way with 18 apiece as Selden tallied 15 in the second half.
Ademide Badmus had 14 with
Ludovic Dufeal and
Julien Soumaoro finishing with 13 each.
Caleb Robinson ended the night with 12 and
Quest Aldridge had 11. Badmus' marked a new career high while Dufeal and Nicholas set new season highs.
Robinson had his first double-double of the season as he collected ten rebounds including three off the offensive glass. Nicholas, Badmus, and Dufeal all had huge games on the boards bringing down eight apiece, career highs for Nicholas and Badmus. Lucas Steeber led the team with nine assists, a career high, with Nicholas finishing with a season-high eight.
Gardner-Webb converted on 13 three-point attempts with Soumaoro having four. Aldridge added three and Nicholas and Steeber had a pair each. GWU had a 52-26 rebound advantage, 32-5 on assists, 72-16 of points in the paint. Carolina turned it over 23 times to GWU's six turnovers and having 10 steals.
The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action on Saturday, December 17 playing NC Central at 2:00 p.m. GWU dropped their game against them 53-58 in Durham earlier this season. The 'Dogs will play one more game prior to Christmas with it on Monday, December 19 for Education Day. They will host Bob Jones University with a tipoff slated for 11:00 a.m.
