BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – The winning-streak continues for the sizzling Gardner-Webb men's basketball team.

Senior guard Caleb Robinson turned in his second consecutive double-double, scoring a team-high 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds as the Runnin' Bulldogs rallied in the second half to defeat UNC Asheville, 80-73, Wednesday evening inside Paul Porter Arena.

Robinson, who has now recorded three double-double's and 18 double-figure scoring games on the season, sparked another Runnin' Bulldogs second-half rally, netting 12 of his 20 points after intermission. The 'Dawgs closed out the game on a 19-4 run in the final 7:42 to record their sixth-straight conference victory and improve to 11-12 overall 6-2 in Big South play.

"This game and the way we played in the second half is a testament to our team throughout the year," said Gardner-Webb head coach Tim Craft, whose team trailed 46-41 at halftime, "They got ahead of us by nine points in the first half and we came back and then again in the second half. Our defense really clamped down with about seven minutes to play. A great job by our guys tonight, I'm proud of the way we played the last two games in what we call winning time, which is the last five minutes of the game."

Senior guards Quest Aldridge and DQ Nicholas had strong games as well for Gardner-Webb, scoring in double figures with 16 points each.  

The Runnin' Bulldogs also got solid performances from the trio of Lucas Steiber, Ademide Badmus and Isiah Richards. Steiber had 11 points, four rebounds and made three huge three-pointers in the opening half to keep Gardner-Webb withing striking distance of the Bulldogs. Badmus pulled down four rebounds and netted eight points (seven after intermission) while Richards, who made his third start of the season, contributed eight points and four boards.   

Gardner-Webb shot 53.9% for the game and 38.9 % (7-18) from behind the three-point line.

Asheville, which had its four-game winning streak snapped, falls to 14-9 overall and 6-2 in conference play.

Senior guard Josh Banks led the Bulldogs with a game-high 21 points, including 3-4 from behind the three-point arch. Banks, however was held to just five points in the second half by the stifling Gardner-Webb defense.

Reigning conference player of the year Drew Pember, who came in averaging 24.6 ppg in league play, was held to 13 points on the night. Senior Fletcher Abee also scored 13 points for Asheville while junior forward Toyaz Soloman chipped in 10 points.

Asheville led by as many as nine points in the opening half and used an 11-0 run in the second half to take a 63-55 lead with 12:28 remaining. Gardner-Webb, however, refused to fold and kept digging in each time it was challenged

The Runnin' Bulldogs outscored the Bulldogs 42-32 in the paint and held a 32-31 advantage on the glass.

Gardner-Webb converted 11 of 19 (57.9%) shots from the charity stripe while Asheville was 16-23 (69.6%)

Up Next
Gardner Webb will have a bye this Saturday as the second go-around of Big South Conference play begins. The Runnin' Bulldogs will seek their seventh consecutive victory next Wednesday evening at Presbyterian. Tip off in Clinton, S.C. is 7PM. The 'Dawgs last won seven-straight games last season from Jan. 21-Feb. 11.