AKRON, Ohio – The Gardner-Webb University men's basketball team fell in overtime to the University of Akron Zips on Thursday evening by a final score of 94-90. Julien Soumaoro tallied 23 and Quest Aldridge dropped a GWU career high 22 in the close loss.
 
"Maybe as proud a team as I've been after a loss.", said coach Craft. We're down two key reserves then one of our five-men goes out, and we still found a way to overcome that 10-point deficit at the half. We take it to overtime and give ourselves a chance to win. A tough call down the stretch there at the end when we had a chance to get the final stop and get a chance to win the game."
 
Following a slow start, the Runnin' Bulldogs built an early lead going on a 16-12 run in the opening eight minutes of the ballgame. Quest Aldridge, Julien Soumaoro and Caleb Robinson allowed the 'Dawgs to maintain a three-point lead at 28-25 by the 6:58 minute mark. Akron took the lead at the 4:19 mark. Tavari Johnson extended the lead to 37-33 for the Zips at the by the final media timeout of the half. Some key shooting in the final minutes allowed Akron to take a 47-38 lead into halftime.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs were able to keep Akron from pulling away early in the second half as the Zips battled to maintain a 59-49 lead in the opening five minutes. Isaiah Richards capped a run with a slam to put the 'Dawgs within one possession with 12:35 to play. Following a three-point play the Runnin' Bulldogs tied in at 71-71 with just under 7:44 to play after being down by 13. Richards was able to sink a put back layup to take the lead for Gardner-Webb 74-73 with just under seven to play. The Zips retook the lead 77-74 as the game came to the final media timeout. Soumaoro and Nicholas allowed the 'Dawgs to tie the game again at 79. The game was tied again at 81 and again at 84 in the final two minutes. Following a pair of empty possessions, regulation ended 84-84.
 
Akron netted a trio of free throws by the midway point of the five-minute overtime period. Richards jammed it home to cut the lead to one point. Akron was able to take advantage of free throws and a three to extend the lead to 92-86. A Nicholas free throw and a three by Stieber cut the Zips lead to 92-90. Akron was able to score a pair of free throws to win the game 94-90.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Five different 'Dawgs tallied double-digits in the game with Soumaoro dropping 23, Aldridge scoring a Gardner-Webb career and season high of 22, Richards scoring 13, Stieber netting 12, and Nicholas recorded 10. Richards also led the Runnin' Bulldogs in rebounds collecting nine.
Gardner-Webb shot over 45% from the floor and 40% from beyond the arch.
 
UP NEXT
The Runnin' Bulldogs will continue their road trip following the holiday break at Virginia Commonwealth University on Dec. 30 at 2:00 p.m.