DURHAM, N.C. – Graduate guard Anthony Selden poured in a game-high 26 points while helping guide the Gardner-Webb (1-1) men's basketball team to its first victory of the season after taking down NC Central (0-2) by the final of 88-82 on Friday afternoon inside McDougald-McLendon Arena.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs set fire to the nets throughout the game, combining for a school record 70% field goals (35-50). Gardner-Webb controlled the glass, outrebounding the Eagles
 
Selden got things started for Gardner-Webb after connecting on a layup with just 22 ticks evaporated off the first half clock. That basket ignited a quick 12-4 run as the Runnin' Bulldogs scored on seven of their first eight shots.
 
NC Central tallied a quick basket, but back-to-back buckets from sophomore guard Darryl Simmons II and freshman guard Jacob Hudson pushed the lead out to double-digits, 16-6, with 15:10 on the clock. The Eagles continued to chip away before an old-fashioned three-point play from senior forward Ademide Badmus and dial from distance out of the hands of Simmons helped maintain the lead for GWU.
 
A pair of makes at the charity stripe by redshirt-senior forward Isaiah Richards gave Gardner-Webb its biggest lead of the contest at 24-11, however, the Eagles used a 24-14 run over six minutes of game time to trim the deficit to 38-35. A three-ball from Richards extended the lead back to eight (45-37) before the final basket of the half came from Simmons, giving GWU a 47-38 lead at the break.
 
Gardner-Webb continued to sit comfortably ahead as its hot shooting remained intact to begin the second half. Selden connected on a layup at the 17:34 mark, pushing the lead to 53-43 before NCCU began to inch closer, pulling to within three points on a pair of occasions.
 
However, senior forward Brendan Mykalcio got in on the scoring action, turning a miscue by the Eagles offense into points for the 'Dawgs while ballooning the lead to its biggest of the second half, 74-63, with less than seven to play.
 
An emphatic dunk by Selden fueled a quick 5-2 burst by GWU while running the lead out to 83-67. NC Central kept things interesting, using an 11-1 run down the stretch, cutting the lead to 86-80, but it proved to be too little, too late as the 'Dawgs held on for the non-conference win.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs will be back in action on Monday, November 11, traveling to face Power-5 Pittsburgh of the ACC. Tip is slated for 7 p.m.