CLINTON, S.C. – Gardner-Webb (16-11, 10-4) used a 9-0 surge to overtake the lead with 8:49 to play in the first half, and the Runnin' Bulldogs led for the remainder of the contest while cruising to a 76-68 road win over Presbyterian (11-18, 3-11) on Saturday afternoon from the Templeton Center in Clinton, S.C.
Lance Terry posted a team-high 16 points,
Kareem Reid scored 15 on a perfect 5-for-5 from the field, and
Jordan Sears and
Zion Williams each added 14 apiece as the Runnin' Bulldogs rounded out the afternoon with four scorers in double figures.
The win for Gardner-Webb gives it 10 wins in Big South play for the eighth time in nine seasons under the guidance of head coach
Tim Craft, whose teams have finished .500 or above in league play every year during his time at the helm in Boiling Springs. The victory for the Runnin' Bulldogs also marks their 900
th as a program since Gardner-Webb transitioned to a four-year school prior to the 1969-70 season.
GWU connected on 49.0-percent (24-of-49) of attempts from the field and 45.5-percent (5-of-11) of its tries from distance. The 'Dogs also capitalized from the charity stripe, sinking a season-high 23-of-29 free throws to help clinch a regular-season sweep of the Blue Hose.
Gardner-Webb, now a winner in four-straight over Presbyterian, held the home team to 41.1-percent (23-of-56) shooting overall while limiting PC to only four 3-pointers on 22 total attempts.
Making a concerted effort to get the ball in the paint, GWU completed the afternoon with 36 paint points – six more than the Blue Hose – while the 'Dogs also outbattled PC on the boards by a 34-31 margin.
The contest featured only two ties and four lead changes as the Runnin' Bulldogs led for a total of 33:12 of action, including for the final 28:49 after taking a lead for the final time just over midway through the opening frame.
With only two games remaining in the regular season, Gardner-Webb will close out its 2021-22 home season against UNC Asheville on Wednesday night, February 23 with the Runnin' Bulldogs celebrating Senior Night inside Paul Porter Arena. Game time in Boiling Springs is slated for 7 p.m.
