JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Freshman guard Jamias Ferere turned in a career performance with 21 points and 12 rebounds while leading Gardner-Webb (4-28) to a 65-64 win over USC Upstate (13-19) in the opening round of the Air Force Reserve Big South Men's Basketball Championship at Freedom Hall Wednesday evening.

Ferere netted his final two points at the charity stripe with 14 seconds left, pushing the Runnin' Bulldogs ahead by a single point before coming up with a steal on Upstate's final possession, securing the dramatic win for the Dawgs.

Ferere finished the game 7-of-8 from the free throw line, but none bigger than the final two. Jacob Hudson added 15 points, while Ace Talbert and Spence Sims chipped in 10 points apiece. Sims connected on three first-half three-pointers to help keep the Runnin' Bulldogs within striking distance.

Gardner-Webb shot 41.5 percent from the floor and made 16-of-20 from the free-throw line (80 percent), a critical difference in a one-point game. The Bulldogs also capitalized on turnovers, scoring 21 points off 16 Upstate miscues.

After trailing 30-29 at halftime, the second half turned into a heavyweight fight. Neither team led by more than a few possessions, and every run was answered. Hudson's tip-in with 5:34 remaining tied the game at 56, and from that point every possession became crucial.

Gardner-Webb built its biggest lead at 54-47 with 8:39 to play before the Spartans fought all the way back, eventually grabbing the lead following an Isaiah Skinner corner three. The score would change hands four times over the final six minutes.

Gardner-Webb advances to the quarterfinals for the second consecutive year and will take on No. 1 seed High Point on Friday, March 6. Tip for that contest is slated for 12 p.m.