GREENEVILLE, N.C. – Sophomore guard
Darryl Simmons II scored a career-high 29 points while helping the Gardner-Webb (5-8) men's basketball team snap a five-game skid in an 84-79 win at East Carolina (8-5) on Saturday afternoon.
Simmons led all scorers with 29 to go along with five rebounds and four assists, knocking down five of his six three-point attempts. Graduate guard
Anthony Selden was also dynamic from behind the arc, connecting on 3-of-6 while adding 18 points.
Redshirt forward
Isaiah Richards posted his second double-double of the season, contributing 12 points to go with a game-high 13 rebounds. Gardner-Webb controlled the glass, outrebounding the Pirates 41-33.
Selden ignited the scoring for GWU, reeling off five straight following an opening-possession layup from East Carolina's RJ Felton. The game remained a back-and-forth affair over the first few minutes before a deep three by Simmons and putback from Richards ballooned the 'Dawgs lead to 13-6 with 14:28 on the clock.
The advantage would reach double-digits (21-11) five minutes later when graduate forward
Jamaine Mann cashed in on a layup. Simmons drilled a three at the top of the key, pushing the margin to 31-24, but East Carolina stormed back with a quick 10-2 run, taking the lead at 34-33, its first since the opening basket of the game.
The second half was a seesaw battle as the initial two minutes saw two ties and five lead changes before GWU created a five-point cushion (48-43) following a three-point from redshirt sophomore guard
Shahar Lazar.
From that point, neither team could push ahead by more than three points as the game went into the final 10 minutes knotted at 59-all. Selden put the Runnin' Bulldogs back ahead with a transition three before a layup and three by Richards and Simmons, respectively, built a 72-66 lead for the visitors.
East Carolina was presented a chance to tie the score at 78, but a free throw by Riley Jordan clanged off the side of the rim and that would be as close as the Pirates would get down the stretch as clutch free throws helped seal the deal for the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Gardner-Webb will now enjoy a 12-day hiatus before returning to action on Thursday, January 2, hosting the Buccaneers of Charleston Southern in the opening game of the Big South Conference season. Tip for that contest is slated for 1 p.m.
