BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.  – The Gardner-Webb University men's basketball team got their 2023-2024 campaign underway on Monday night defeating Erskine College by a final score of 98-58. Five different Runnin' Bulldogs tallied double digit performances in the home opening victory.
 
"I thought it was a lot of fun to play at home to open the season up.", said coach Craft. "Let our players build success and some confidence. Making threes and being able to hopefully build on it, and to go into this tough stretch that we have with some confidence. I'm love the way we shot free throws. That was something that was awesome to see and something that was a struggle for us last year, so it's great to see great to see us get to the foul line and make a bunch of free throws. I really loved our intensity on the offensive glass. 25 offensive rebounds is really good. I thought our guys were pretty focused. It was forty minutes of trying to play with an edge, play really focused basketball, play winning basketball, and I felt like for the most part we did that today."
 
The opening minutes of the first half saw Gardner-Webb out to a slow start before a pair of three pointers from DQ Nicholas began a 15-5 run for in the first 10 minutes. The Flying Fleet was able to keep within nine points late in the first half thanks to some first half scoring by Moses Cheek. Shahar Lazar and Julien Soumaoro were able to jump start the scoring for Gardner-Webb late in the first half with a three pointer each. The 44-28 first half run was highlighted field goals from DQ Nicholas and Darryl "Buddy" Simmons.
 
Brendan Mykalcio made his presence felt for Gardner-Webb in the first six minutes of the second half making three free throws and a field goal as the 'Dawgs went on a 14-4 run. The score sat at 71-41 with about 10 minutes left. Cheickna Sissoko remained perfect from the free throw line down the stretch going 6-6. Various Runnin' Bulldogs contributed as the lead grew including Darryl "Buddy" Simmons II, Quest Aldridge and Caleb Robinson. Gardner-Webb ultimately won by 40 points.
 
"Brendan has been here for two years.", coach Craft added. "He's worked really hard and waited personally for his opportunity and he sees in it. He's had a great preseason. He really brings some different things to the table in attacking the paint and being able to rebound the ball. So, it was great to see him have a great night. Buddy Simmons, he's an electric guy. He can come off the bench. Obviously, we have a great point guard in DQ, but Buddy is awesome to have. He's going to be a great player here, a fan favorite, I'm sure. He's going to be a spark plug out there. Very please with both of their play."
 
NOTABLE STATS
The 'Dawgs as a squad made 57 rebounds including 25 offensively and 32 defensively. Brendan MyKalcio had a pair of career highs in the win. He recorded his first career double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Darryl "Buddy" Simmons II co-led GWU in scoring also scoring 15. He and DQ Nicholas each drained four three pointers. Caleb Robinson tallied 14 points and Shahar Lazar scored 12 points going 5-6 with a trio of three pointers in his opening performance for Gardner Webb. Cheickna Sissoko also contributed going 6-6 from the stripe.
 
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs continue their early season slate this Friday Nov. 10 against No. 14 the University of Arkansas. Tip off is at 8:00 p.m.