BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The Gardner-Webb University men's basketball team is set to continue their road trip against the University of Akron Zips on Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m. Thursday's game will stream live on ESPN+ (WatchESPN.com), with the radio call broadcast live on the Varsity Network App, GWUSports.com/listenlive, and ESPNCLT.com. "The Voice of the Runnin' Bulldogs" Phil Constantino and Jim "Mojo" Morrison will be on the call for radio.
 
SCOUTING THE ZIPS
The Akron Zips enter Thursday's game with an overall record of 7-3. They have won three games in a row most recently defeating Miami University Hamilton 88-45 (Dec. 17). They won four straight games to open the season and remain unbeaten inside James A. Rhodes Arena (4-0). The Zips are led in scoring by senior Enrique Freeman who 178 points so far and is averaging 17.8 per-game. Last season the Zips posted a record of 22-11 falling in the second round of the Mid-American Conference championship tournament to Kent State University 79-73. Head Coach John Groce is in his seventh season at the helm with a record of 148-83.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Most recently, Gardner-Webb was bested by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (Dec. 19). The Runnin' Bulldogs and Mocs went shot-per-shot to open the ballgame. Chieckna Sissoko led the charge out of the gate for the 'Dawgs with a slam and a layup in the first five minutes as they gained an early lead. Some great shooting by Julien Soumaoro built the lead to 19-11 by the 11:10 minute mark. Taku Youngblood quickly made his presence felt in the first half dishing a no look pass to Lucas Stieber to increase the lead to 24-11 just after 10 minutes to go. The Mocs rode nine first half points from Jan Zidek to cut into the Gardner-Webb lead by the end of the first half where the 'Dawgs led 34-26.
 
Chattanooga cut the lead to just three for Gardner-Webb in the first two minutes of the second half before the Runnin' Bulldogs got back to work starting with a three from Stieber. GWU went on an 8-0 run to take a 42-31 lead with 15:41 to play. Maintaining the lead, Quest Aldridge hit a corner three causing Chattanooga to call their final timeout of the game with 12:12 to play. Zidek continued to battle for the Mocs as the game was 55-45 in favor of the 'Dawgs with under eight to play. Chattanooga cut the lead to four by the final media timeout. Gardner-Webb threes coming from Soumaoro and Stieber. The final 20 seconds saw the Mocs take the lead before Caleb Robinson hit a driving layup to tie the game 66-66. Trey Bonham hit a halfcourt shot at the buzzer to win the game for the Mocs 69-66.
 
'DAWG WATCH
Gardner-Webb is averaging 72.0 points-per-game, 11.8 assists, 41.2 rebounds per game, and 6.1 steals. The Runnin' Bulldogs' top five scorers 13 games into the season are Robinson (182), Soumaoro (181), DQ Nicholas (135), Stieber (75) and Brendan Mykalcio (66). Robinson leads also leads the 'Dawgs in rebounding with 83. He is followed by Ademide Badmus (57), Stieber (55), Mykalcio (52) and Sissoko (51). Other notables include Sissoko leading the team in blocks with eight, Soumaoro leading in steals with 17 and Nicholas leading in assists with 34.
 
LOOKING AHEAD
The Runnin' Bulldogs will continue their road trip at Virginia Commonwealth University on Dec. 30 at 2:00 p.m.
 
Times and television coverage for all Gardner-Webb men's basketball games can be found at gwusports.com. For more information on the Gardner-Webb men's basketball team, fans can follow the team on Twitter at @GWU_MBK or on Instagram at @gwu_mbk.