BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Graduate guard Anthony Selden scored a game-high 27 points to go along with seven boards, leading the Gardner-Webb (9-12, 4-4) men's basketball team to a thrilling 92-87 win over visiting Longwood (16-7, 5-3) on Wednesday evening inside Paul Porter Arena.
 
The Runnin' Bulldogs placed a total of five players in double-figures, the second time on the season reaching that feat. Sophomore guard Darryl Simmons II chipped in 19 points while junior guard Pharrell Boyogueno netted 15. Graduate forward Jamaine Mann filled the stat sheets after compiling 13 points, eight rebounds, and a career-high seven assists. Redshirt junior Shahar Lazar also clipped double figure scoring with 10 points off the bench.
 
Longwood started the game with a frantic pace, scoring 10 of the first 12 points with less than four minutes into the opening period. Lazar tallied the next four points for the 'Dawgs before Selden connected on a driving layup, trimming the deficit to 10-8.
 
From that point, the game became a back-and-forth affair as the Lancers maintained a slim lead in a competitive first half. Mann knocked down a three-pointer for GWU, but Longwood came back with a run of 9-2 while building a double-digit lead, 32-22, late in the frame.
 
However, Gardner-Webb remained within striking distance after outscoring the Lancers 17-10 over the final five minutes but would head into the break trailing 42-39.
 
Simmons drilled a corner three at the 17:16 mark of the second period, giving Gardner-Webb its first lead of the contest, 46-45. The game saw three ties and eight lead changes over the next seven-plus minutes of game action as neither team could pull away.
 
Trailing 60-59, Selden knocked down one of his three triples before Simmons made good on a layup, pushing the home team ahead on the scoreboard. Freshman Jacob Hudson capped a 7-0 run by the 'Dawgs with an acrobatic hoop-and-harm.
 
Longwood battled back to retake the lead at 69-68 following an old-fashioned three-point play by Johan Nziemi with seven minutes remaining in regulation.
 
However, with the score tied at 74-74, Mann finished a beautiful assist from senior forward Ademide Badmus while the Runnin' Bulldogs ripped off seven straight to control the game 81-74 late.
 
The Lancers were able to narrow the gap to three points on a pair of occasions but Gardner-Webb milked the game away with clutch makes from the charity stripe on its way to a pivotal 92-87 win.
 
Gardner-Webb will be back in action on Saturday, February 1, traveling to Rock Hill, S.C. for a date with the Winthrop Eagles. Game time is set for 2 p.m.